Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Children's objective and subjective sleep disruptions: links with afternoon cortisol levels.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine possible relations between the quality and amount of children's sleep and cortisol in healthy children. DESIGN Children's sleep was monitored with actigraphs for 7 nights. Children came to the laboratory to provide saliva samples, which were used to assess cortisol. Children reported on their sleepiness and sleep/wake problems. Sixty-four healthy children participated (M = 8.75 years; SD = .55). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported sleepiness and sleep/wake problems, actigraphy-measured total sleep minutes, sleep efficiency, minutes awake after sleep onset, and sleep activity, and afternoon cortisol levels. RESULTS After controlling for demographic variables and child characteristics, higher levels of cortisol were related to increased subjective sleep problems and objective measures of shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality. CONCLUSION These findings are of importance for understanding critical facets of children's health and well-being, and are noteworthy given the high prevalence of sleep disruptions in otherwise normally developing children in the United States.
Age differences in retrieval: further support for the resource-reduction hypothesis.

Age differences in processing resources seem salient to age-related declines in secondary (or "recent") memory. Community-dwelling adults (N = 90, ages 30-80) completed 4 memory tests: Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) Logical Memory (LM), Cowboy Story (CS), WMS-R Visual Reproductions (VR), and Extended Complex Figure Test (ECFT; Fastenau, in press). Two space-capacity measures (WMS-R Digit Span and Visual Memory Span) and 4 processing speed measures (cancellation and mental-tracking tasks) assessed processing resources. A statistical control procedure was used to isolate retrieval efficiency and measures contributions of age and processing resources to retrieval. A negative relationship between age and retrieval efficiency emerged on all measures (p < .05). The age effect was reduced 60% on LM and CS when processing resources were controlled, eliminated for VR, and unchanged on ECFT. It is possible that visual-spatial retrieval requires fewer processing resources than does verbal retrieval.
Interest Rates and Inflationary Expectations: Evidence on the Fisher Effect in Sri Lanka

This article examines the relationship between interest rates and inflation for Sri Lanka and whether this relationship is consistent with market efficiency It employs three data frequencies and two approaches, namely, the adaptive and rational expectations approaches for modelling inflationary expectations. While some support is found for the Fisher relationship under both approaches, it is possible to conclude that the strongest support is found for the adaptive expectations approach.
Characterization of a Mouse Recombination Hot Spot Locus Encoding a Novel Non-Protein-Coding RNA

ABSTRACT Our current knowledge of recombination hot spot activity in mammalian systems implicates a role for both the primary DNA sequence and the nature of the chromatin domain around it. In mice, the only recombination hot spots mapped to date have been confined to a cluster within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region. We present a high resolution analysis of a new recombination hot spot in the mouse genome which maps to mouse chromosome 8 C-D. Haplotype diversity analysis across 40 different strains of mice has enabled us to map recombination breakpoints to a 1-kb interval. This hot spot has a recombination intensity that is 10- to 100-fold above the genome average and has a mean gene conversion tract length of 371 bp. This meiotically active locus happens to be flanked by a transcribed region encoding a non-protein-coding RNA polymerase II transcript and the previously characterized repair site. Many of the primary DNA sequence features that have been reported for the mouse MHC hot spots are also shared by this hot spot locus and in addition, along with three other MHC hot spot loci, we show a new parallel feature of association of the crossover sites with the nuclear matrix.
Metabolic Syndrome Is a Risk Factor for the Development of Chronic Renal Disease

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by the coexistence of multiple abnormalities: abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance in association with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) criteria define MetS as having at least three of the following: abdominal obesity; high triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels; hyperglycemia, and hypertension. Insulin resistance, a key feature of theMetS and its components, is defined as a decreased sensitivity or responsiveness of peripheral tissues to the metabolic action of insulin. Abdominal fat, which is predictive of sensitivity to insulin, plays an important role in MetS. This syndrome confers a higher risk for diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, even with levels of glycemia below that used to define diabetes. Previous studies have shown that components and consequences of MetS, including DM and coronary heart disease, alter renal physiology and metabolism through a cascade of various reactions. For example, obesity-related early renal changes increase the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) because of increased salt reabsorption by the proximal tubule. Consequent tubuloglomerular feedback mediated reduction in afferent arteriolar resistance results in increased glomerular capillary pressure. The increased GFR is a compensatory response that restores salt balance despite continued increases in tubular reabsorption but contributes to renal injury, especially if it is combined with elevated blood pressure. In addition, obesity induced sleep apnea activates sympathetic nervous system increasing the tone of the glomerular efferent arterioles and the secretion of renin and angiotensin. In patients with MetS, mildly elevated blood pressure or mild hyperglycemia may portend an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and microalbuminuria, while a high blood pressure was the most powerful predictor of renal dysfunction. In addition, dyslipidemia may affect the prognosis of CKD as low HDL cholesterol was shown to be a predictor of faster CKD progression. There are complex interactions among obesity, hypertension, and insulin resistance, which all together may contribute not only to cardiovascular damage but also to renal damage. Even mild to moderate CKD has been shown to be strongly associated with an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, renal dysfunction is regarded as a coronary artery disease equivalently. Both MetS and CKD have been shown to be independently associated with increased cardiovascular events and mortality, and studies suggest a reciprocal relationship between MetS and CKD. Therefore, we performed the present study to investigate whether MetS is associated with renal dysfunction in the frame work of the possible role of CVD risk factors.
Entrepreneurial ventures, institutional voids, and business group affiliation: the case of two Brazilian start-ups, 2002-2009

Purpose – Institutional voids – the lack of institutions that can facilitate the functioning of markets – are ubiquitous in emerging markets. Because of their newness, entrepreneurial ventures are especially susceptible to institutional vacuums. This research seeks to shed light on the role that business groups can play in the development of entrepreneurial ventures in emerging markets. Design/methodology/approach – Based on detailed fieldwork, the study describes and analyzes the creation and evolution of two biotechnology start-ups that were affiliated to a major Latin American business group. The research covers the period between their foundation and later acquisition by a multinational company. Findings – The article discusses the role that the business group affiliation had in terms of helping the start-ups to interact with multiple institutional voids. The analysis shows that the start-ups benefited from the group’s reputation and connections, experience and know-how in managing different types of businesses in the country, strong resource base, long-term vision, and strong organizational culture. Originality/value – The main contribution of this work is to show that business group affiliation can be an interesting solution that facilitates the development of entrepreneurial ventures in emerging
The Role of AM-to-PM Conversion in Memoryless Nonlinear Systems

A generalized proof is presented that AM-to-PM conversion can only degrade, never improve, the intermodulation-noise performance of memoryless nonlinear systems with random input signals having even probability density functions, and a measure of degradation is defined. It is also shown for such signals that AM-to-PM conversion causes a deterministic constant phase shift to be added to the argument of the signal component at the output but has no other effect on its phase. This class of inputs includes one or the sum of several PSK signals, as well as large ensembles that can be modeled as Gaussian noise. The latter are dealt with by using Bussgang's theorem on input-output cross correlation. In the proof, Bussgang's theorem is extended to the complex case, to include phase as well as amplitude nonlinearities, yielding a complex version of the theorem. For Gaussian inputs it is shown that the undistorted signal and the intermodulation noise at the output of such systems are uncorrelated.
ON THE VALIDITY OF THE RANDOM WALK HYPOTHESIS APPLIED TO THE DHAKA STOCK EXCHANGE

This paper employs a battery of statistical tests to examine the random walk variant of the weak-form efficient market hypothesis (EMH) using the daily data of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, the major equity market of Bangladesh, over a period of January 1990 to December 2000. The test results, however, are at variance across testing procedures and sub-periods. Results based on the random walk model and unit root tests show that the null hypothesis of randomness cannot be rejected and stock prices have a significant random walk or permanent component. Our analysis of autocorrelation functions indicates mean-reversion behavior of stock returns in most cases albeit with stock returns exhibiting some memory and predictable components during the bubble and post-speculation periods. The evaluation of the EGARCH-M model suggests significant asymmetric and leverage effects during the sub-period of speculative bubbles of 1996–1997. The BDS test indicates evidence of nonlinear long-term dependence during the pre-speculation period, while during the speculation and post-speculation periods the null hypothesis of nonlinear independence was not rejected. Overall, based on this evidence we do not categorically claim that the Dhaka Stock Exchange is weak-form efficient. However, these findings underscore the predictive significance and relevance of the random walk hypothesis as a generalized theory in explaining movements of share prices.
THE SUPPLY OF MONEY AND COMMON STOCK PRICES: FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE ECONOMETRIC EVIDENCE

RECENT, well-publicized attempts to employ econometric methods to isolate the determinants of common stock prices in the United States have aroused considerable interest in the investment community. Models developed by Keran [7], Hamburger and Kochin [4], and Homa and Jaffee [6], each of which assigns an important role to the linkage between the money supply and the level of common stock prices,' appear to have met with considerable success in explaining the behavior of Standard and Poor's Composite Index. The Hamburger-Kochin model, for example, explains a remarkable 99 per cent of the variance of this index, using quarterly data, during the 1956-1970 period. Homa and Jaffee, in addition, perform a series of simulation experiments which suggest that an investment strategy incorporating the forecasts generated by their model can outperform, in terms of both mean and variance of return, a simple buy-and-hold alternative. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the potential contribution of the Keran, Hamburger-Kochin, and Homa-Jaffee models to the problem of forecasting the level of common stock prices. To this end, the models are reestimated using both Canadian and American data, and then subjected to a series of tests designed to measure their structural stability and sensitivity to possible specification error. This preliminary evaluation is followed by a more detailed analysis of their out-of-sample forecasting accuracy. In brief, both theoretical and empirical considerations suggest that the extraordinary success of these models in tracking the behavior of stock prices during the sample period may be illusory. The forecasting experiments documented in the text serve to confirm the suspicion. Ex post forecasts of Standard and Poor's Composite Index generated by the three models for the 1970:1 to 1972:2 period, for example, prove to be inferior to a naive no-change extrapolation. Comparable forecasts of the level of Canadian stock prices, measured by Statistics Canada's Investors Index, also fail to pass the most rudimentary tests of forecasting accuracy. Although the forecasting experiments cover a period of only ten quarters, one's confidence in their pessimistic conclusions is enhanced by the numerous limitations of these models analyzed earlier in the text. Finally, the fact that these models do not appear to have captured stable structural relationships suggests that one should not attach undue importance
Endovascular and surgical management of vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage: medium-term experience.

INTRODUCTION Dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery are associated with a high incidence of rebleeding and mortality if untreated. Current endovascular alternatives to surgery are being evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of our experience with endovascular as well as surgical treatments of dissecting vertebral artery aneurysms in 6 patients. Three patients were treated with a combination of coils in the proximal artery and aneurysm sac; 1 with a combination of coils and balloon; and 2 with aneurysm clipping surgery. All patients were treated with the primary intention of coil deposition within the aneurysm sac and proximal vertebral artery. No proximal flow arrest was used. Anticoagulation was given during and after the procedure. RESULTS Technical success was achieved in all patients, and there was no postprocedural neurological deficit. Follow-up for a mean of 40 months (range, 7 to 64) confirmed the clinical stability of symptoms, as well as the cessation of flow to the aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular treatment of vertebral artery dissections is a viable alternative to surgery in the appropriate setting. It has the benefit of being minimally invasive, allowing concomitant balloon testing as well as retaining the option to convert to surgery.
Simplified input-output linearizing and decoupling control of wind turbine driven doubly-fed induction generators

Nowadays the variable speed constant frequency wind turbines with doubly-fed induction generators (DFIG) have been widely used in the wind power generation system. Vector control is introduced to the DFIG control strategies, which decouples DFIG active and reactive powers, and achieves good performances in the wind power system. However, decoupling is still present, when the flux varies. Moreover, the feedforward decoupling scheme, which plays a significant role for decoupling objective in vector control, is vulnerable to the DFIG parameters. This paper addresses a non-linear control algorithm based on the simplified input-output linearizing and decoupling control strategy. Both rotor side controller and grid side controller are presented. Finally, the control strategy is implemented and tested in a 160 kW wind power test rig, and the experiment results validate that the simplified input-output linearizing and decoupling control provides improved dynamic responses and decoupled control of the wind turbine driven DFIG.
Heat Shock Protein 70 Regulates Degradation of the Mumps Virus Phosphoprotein via the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway

ABSTRACT Mumps virus (MuV) infection induces formation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs). Growing evidence indicates that IBs are the sites where RNA viruses synthesize their viral RNA. However, in the case of MuV infection, little is known about the viral and cellular compositions and biological functions of the IBs. In this study, pulldown purification and N-terminal amino acid sequencing revealed that stress-inducible heat shock protein 70 (Hsp72) was a binding partner of MuV phosphoprotein (P protein), which was an essential component of the IB formation. Immunofluorescence and immunoblotting analyses revealed that Hsp72 was colocalized with the P protein in the IBs, and its expression was increased during MuV infection. Knockdown of Hsp72 using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) had little, if any, effect on viral propagation in cultured cells. Knockdown of Hsp72 caused accumulation of ubiquitinated P protein and delayed P protein degradation. These results show that Hsp72 is recruited to IBs and regulates the degradation of MuV P protein through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. IMPORTANCE Formation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs) is a common characteristic feature in mononegavirus infections. IBs are considered to be the sites of viral RNA replication and transcription. However, there have been few studies focused on host factors recruited to the IBs and their biological functions. Here, we identified stress-inducible heat shock protein 70 (Hsp72) as the first cellular partner of mumps virus (MuV) phosphoprotein (P protein), which is an essential component of the IBs and is involved in viral RNA replication/transcription. We found that the Hsp72 mobilized to the IBs promoted degradation of the MuV P protein through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Our data provide new insight into the role played by IBs in mononegavirus infection.
Recurrent Neural Networks Trained With Backpropagation Through Time Algorithm to Estimate Nonlinear Load Harmonic Currents

Generation of harmonics and the existence of waveform pollution in power system networks are important problems facing the power utilities. The determination of harmonic currents injected into a power network by a nonlinear load is complicated when the supply voltage waveform to the load is distorted by other loads and not a pure sinusoid. This paper proposes a neural network solution to this problem. A recurrent neural network trained with the backpropagation through time training algorithm is used to find a way of distinguishing between the so-called load harmonics and supply harmonics, without disconnecting the load from the network. The advantage of this method is that only waveforms of voltages and currents have to be measured. This method is applicable for both single and three phase loads and could be fabricated into a commercial instrument that could be installed in substations of large customer loads, or used as a hand-held clip on instrument. This paper is particularly useful in determining whether the utility or the customer side has a higher contribution to harmonic pollution in a network. Hence, this method would be helpful in settling utility-customer disputes over who is responsible for harmonic pollution.
Influencing employee attitudes through HR practices: an exploratory study in Indian IT sector

The importance of employee work attitudes in enhancing organisational performance is well recognised in academic literature as well as in business organisations. However, the importance of HR practices in shaping and inducing such desirable work attitudes is least investigated empirically. This study wishes to fill this gap in literature by isolating the HR practices predictors of two such work attitudes – organisational-based self-esteem (OBSE) and job involvement (JI). The HR practices of selection practices and internal promotion, employee voice and greater involvement in decision making and work teams are found to be significantly usable in eliciting the manifestation of the above listed work attitudes. The influence of gender on the linkage between the HR practices and employee work attitudes is also examined and very insightful managerial implications applicable to Indian IT industry were deduced.
The herbicide triflusulfuron-methyl

The molecule of the title compound [systematic name: methyl 2-({[4-dimethylamino-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]carbamoyl}sulfamoyl)-3-methylbenzoate], C17H19F3N6O6S, features a nearly planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.098 Å) dimethylaminotriazinyl-urea group with a short intramolecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bond to a triazine N atom. An intramolecular dipole–dipole interaction between the sulfamide and carboxylate groups, with Os⋯Cc = 2.800 (1) Å and Ns⋯Oc = 2.835 (1) Å, controls the orientation of the methylbenzoate group and the shape of the molecule. The crystal structure is stabilized by intermolecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bonding, C—H⋯X (X = N,O) interactions and arene π–π stacking.
‘We Do Our Bit in Our Own Space’: DAL Group and the Development of a Curiously Sudanese Enclave Economy

The family firm, DAL Group, is Sudan's largest and most diversified company. Its growth has concentrated on consumer goods, rather than on state concessions or exports. It has developed its own training programmes, construction units, transportation networks and market research departments to manage the unstable environment outside its business walls. This paper focuses on the company's recruitment policies, demonstrating how the firm relies on its own internal family structure and a transnational network of Sudanese professionals in order to grow and prosper. Such self-reliance contributes to growing political frustration among young unemployed people. Graduates from ‘marginal’ areas rely more heavily on public advertisements and on information obtained from state bodies, not the private channels of wasta (personal intermediation) that cut through contemporary business. The paper concludes by comparing DAL with similar business networks in Ethiopia and Rwanda, arguing that DAL is a unique and interesting form of ‘enclave economy’, shaped by a displaced transnational elite operating in a hostile political environment. Within the wider political context of Sudan, there is a limit to what similar businesses can achieve.
Segmentation of range images: an orthogonal moment-based integrated approach

A new approach to range image segmentation is presented. The proposed approach involves two phases in which the region and edge information detected using a set of orthogonal Zernike moment-based operators are combined to provide robust segmentation of range images. In the first phase, each range image point is characterized by the surface normal vector and the depth value at that point. A surface feature-based clustering of range image points yields its initial region-based segmentation. This initial segmentation phase often produces oversegmented images. In the second phase of the proposed technique, the oversegmented image is resegmented by appropriately merging adjacent regions using the edge information to produce final segmentation. One attractive characteristic of the proposed technique is that the same set of three moment-based operators is used to extract both surface and edge features. Thus only three convolution operations are needed at an image point to compute all the desired surface and edge features associated with that point. The performances of the proposed Zernike moment-based operators in surface and edge feature detection are theoretically analyzed. >