Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dual-Band Low-Profile Capacitively Coupled Beam-Steerable Square-Loop Antenna

In this paper, a dual-band low-profile switched beam square-loop antenna (SLA) fed by capacitively coupled feeding mechanism is presented. Two square loops are excited by four rectangular feeding patches which are fed with vertical probes. The capacitively coupled feeding arrangement introduces capacitance into the antenna input impedance and cancels the high inductance due to close proximity of ground plane and feeding probes. This feeding technique enables the antenna to be matched to 50 Ω feedline and helps in the realization of low-profile SLA. The antenna has a height of 3.04 mm; i.e., λ0 /26 for the operating frequency of 3.8 GHz. The dual-band capacitively coupled square-loop antenna (DBCCSLA) is developed for covering 3.8- and 4.7-GHz frequency bands, and each band possesses an impedance bandwidth of 120 MHz. In both frequency bands, when any of the four ports is excited, keeping other ports open circuited, the antenna generates a tilted beam directed away from the excited port, having a maximum directivity of 9.3 dBi. By exciting ports one at a time, the antenna can steer its tilted beam in four different quadrants to scan the entire space in front of the antenna.
Acoustically Dimorphic Advertisement Calls Separate Morphologically and Genetically Homogenous Populations of the Grey Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus)

Sexual advertisement calls of male mouse lemurs from two neighbouring demes in a dry deciduous forest of western Madagascar were recorded during the breeding season. Demes were located about 1.5 km apart with no geographic barrier between them. They were characterised morphometrically and genotyped by RAPD fingerprinting. According to univariate and multivariate statistical analysis, demes differed neither in body measurements, nor in the banding patterns produced by RAPD fingerprinting. The acoustic pattern of the advertisement call, however, showed significant differences: Six variables of the frequency and time domain differed between the demes. Discriminant function analysis revealed that one variable, total call duration, was sufficient to classify more than 89% of the calls correctly to the corresponding deme. We postulate that these differences are comparable to dialects in birds, because demes were morphologically and genetically indistinguishable and no barrier prevented genetic exchange between them. Possible explanations for the emergence of dialects in a prosimian species are outlined.
Does Congressional experience in US governors influence state transfers

This paper examines the relationship between US governors who have previously served as a member of Congress and the federal transfers to their state. I assemble a novel dataset of governors political background and match this to federal transfer data from 1950 to 2008. Governors with Congressional experience have 0.8 percentage points more transfers to their state. I find no evidence of problematic trends or selection issues. Moreover, the result is robust to outliers in the data and many robustness checks.
Moderating Effect of Management Support on the Relationship Between HR Practices and Employee Performance in Nigeria

Given that management support and decisions do influence all the aspects of organization, this study investigates moderating effect of management support on the relationship between recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation, performance appraisal and succession planning and employee performance. The cross-sectional survey approach was used in which data were collected from 450 academics in the state-owned polytechnics in Nigeria. The partial least squares method (PLS) algorithm and bootstrapping techniques were used to test the study’s hypotheses. The results provided full support for four out of five hypothesized direct relationships. Likewise, the seventh and ninth hypotheses were supported. The overall findings signify that recruitment and selection, training and development, performance appraisal and succession planning are strong and positive predictors of employee performance, and management support is a moderator in training and development–employee performance relationship, and in compensation–employee performance connection. The result signifies that management support fortifies the effectiveness in the human resource practices–performance relationship. Limitation and suggestion for the future research are also discussed.
Competitiveness and managerial discretion: an empirical investigation at the national-level

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the national-level predictors of country competitiveness using the concept of managerial discretion. The objective is to empirically link the strategic management discipline particularly the upper echelon theory to the concept of country performance measured by competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachThis paper tests the proposed relationship between managerial discretion and country competitiveness using a sample of 18 countries from 6 different regional clusters. Discretion scores are generated from survey responses of prominent senior management consultants, while country competitiveness is measured via the Global Competitiveness Index developed by the World Economic Forum. A multi-level regression analysis on the panel data set spanning 10 years of national competitiveness levels is used to empirically demonstrate the association between managerial discretion and country competitiveness.FindingsThe authors show that managerial discretion is a direct predictor of national competitiveness through its ability to provide CEOs with a wider array of actions to innovate and enhance firm performance which will ultimately contribute to country competitiveness.Practical implicationsThe positive influence of managerial discretion on country competitiveness provide an interesting framework to examine the influence of firms over public policy-making. Additionally, with businesses becoming increasingly globalized, the profile of countries becomes of a great importance and can become a tool for corporate strategic decisions, such as: market entry strategies.Originality/valueBy linking the well-known term of competitiveness to the concept of managerial discretion, the authors provide a totally new approach to assess country performance. Additionally, this paper contributes to the growing literature of managerial discretion by discovering new national-level consequences.
Peptoids: An Emerging Class of Peptidomimetics for Cancer Therapy and Diagnostics

Conventional methods used to treat cancer, from non-specific chemotherapy to modern molecularly targeted drugs have generated limited results due to the complexity of the disease as well as lack of molecular classes that can be developed into treatments rapidly, easily and economically. Peptoids are class of peptidomimetics that are easy to synthesize and optimize and has been studied in different oncology applications as great biologically amenable compounds and can be considered as a promising alternative molecular class for anticancer drug developments.
Field-Based Assessment of Resistance to Bt Corn by Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is a serious pest of corn and is managed with corn that produces insecticidal toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Beginning in 2009, resistance to Cry3Bb1 corn, and severe injury to Cry3Bb1 corn in the field, was observed in Iowa. However, few data exist on how Cry3Bb1-resistant western corn rootworm interact with various management practices in the field. Using a field experiment, we measured adult emergence and feeding injury to corn roots for both Cry3Bb1-resistant and Cry3Bb1-susceptible populations of western corn rootworm when tested against various Bt corn hybrids and a soil-applied insecticide. Between 2012 and 2013, we evaluated five fields that were associated with greater than one node of feeding injury to Cry3Bb1 corn by western corn rootworm (i.e., problem-field populations), and a laboratory strain that had never been exposed to Bt corn (i.e., control population). Adult emergence for western corn rootworm and root injury to corn were significantly higher in problem-field populations than control populations for both Cry3Bb1 corn and mCry3A corn. By contrast, corn with Cry34/35Ab1, either alone or pyramided with Cry3Bb1, significantly reduced adult emergence and root injury in both problem fields and control fields. In problem fields, application of the soil-applied insecticide to Cry3Bb1 corn significantly reduced root injury, but not adult emergence. Our results are discussed in terms of developing strategies for managing western corn rootworm with resistance to Cry3Bb1 and mCry3A, and delaying the additional evolution of Bt resistance by this pest.
Cloning and Functional Characterization of a Potential-sensitive, Polyspecific Organic Cation Transporter (OCT3) Most Abundantly Expressed in Placenta*

We have isolated a cDNA from rat placenta which, when expressed heterologously, mediates the transport of a wide spectrum of organic cations. The cDNA codes for a protein of 551 amino acids containing 12 putative transmembrane domains. Northern blot analysis indicates that this transporter is expressed most abundantly in the placenta and moderately in the intestine, heart, and brain. The expression is comparatively low in the kidney and lung and is undetectable in the liver. This transporter is distinct from the previously cloned organic cation transporters (OCT1, OCT2, NKT, NLT, RST, and OCTN1). When expressed in HeLa cells, the cDNA induces the transport of tetraethylammonium and guanidine. Competition experiments indicate that this transport process recognizes a large number of organic cations, including the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, as substrates. The cDNA-induced transport is markedly influenced by extracellular pH. However, when expressed in Xenopus laevisoocytes, the cDNA-induced transport is electrogenic, associated with the transfer of positive charge into the oocytes. Under voltage clamp conditions, tetraethylammonium evokes inward currents that are concentration- and potential-dependent. This potential-sensitive organic cation transporter, designated as OCT3, represents a new member of the OCT gene family.
Trans‐Golgi network (TGN) of different cell types: Three‐dimensional structural characteristics and variability

Background: The trans‐Golgi network (TGN) is generally considered as a distinct and permanent structural compartment of the Golgi apparatus of various cell types. To verify this postulate we examined and compared the three‐dimensional characteristics of the TGNs of 14 different mammalian cell types as presented in our various publications since 1979 when we initially described the trans‐tubular network of Sertoli cells.
Perceived human resource system strength and employee reactions toward change: Revisiting human resource's remit as change agent

Although scholars have highlighted HR’s important role as change agent, we know little about the extent to which HR influences the change context to foster positive employee responses and support organizational changes. This study positions perceived HR system strength as an important internal context factor which influences employees’ reactions toward change. Drawing on emotion theory and social exchange theory, we analyze the mechanisms through which employees’ perceptions of HR system strength lead to positive employee responses to organizational change. Data from 704 employees in a UK police force showed that employees’ perceptions of HR system strength were positively related to their ability to cope with organizational change and that this relationship was simultaneously mediated by state positive affect and perceived organizational support. Moreover, our findings revealed that coping with organizational change was positively related to employees’ change-supportive behavior. This study is important because it broadens the remit of HR’s role as change agent and provides valuable insight into how HR positively influences employee outcomes during organizational change.
Lessons Learned from Establishing the Energy-Informatics Business Model: Case of a German Energy Company

Energy and utilities companies find themselves in a paradoxical situation in which their traditional business models are losing profitability, and they must advocate energy efficiency and climate-protection goals, and thus encourage their customers to save energy. As a result, they must partially cannibalize their business models and experiment with new models and techniques. Energy Informatics (EI) offers promising business opportunities that alleviate the concerns of energy companies about traditional revenue streams. However, recent discussions on this issue lack proof of concept and success determinants. This business case study fills this gap by describing the journey of German energy company Energiequelle, which established a sustainable business model based on EI. On the basis of our interview data, we analyzed Energiequelle’s EI strategy and stakeholder management and present six lessons learned. We believe that our practice-oriented research provides profound insight, especially to high-level executives and policymakers.
Effects of reservoir dispenser height on efficacy of mating disruption of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in apple.

BACKGROUND The effect of varying the height of reservoir dispensers for mating disruption of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), was investigated. The goal was to improve the effectiveness of C. pomonella mating disruption through improved understanding of adult distribution within the tree canopy and the impact of pheromone dispenser placement on disruption. Two dispensers per tree were placed at 2 m and 4 m and/or one dispenser at each height on the tree at a label rate of 1000 units ha(-1) . Monitoring traps and tethered female moths were deployed in plots at 2 and 4 m heights to assess treatment effects by catches or matings respectively. RESULTS Fewest male moths were captured with all dispensers placed at 4 m. Female mating was lowest, and with least variation between females tethered at 2 and 4 m, when dispensers were placed simultaneously at 2 and 4 m (28% mated). Mating was 32% with both dispensers at 4 m, 38% with both dispensers at 2 m and 46% in the no disruption control. Mating was highest across treatments when females were tethered at 2 m and dispensers placed at 4 m (40%), and when females were tethered at 4 m with dispensers placed at 2 m (46%). CONCLUSION Traps at 4 m in trees captured more male moths than traps at 2 m, regardless of disruption dispenser positioning. Female mating was lowest when dispensers were placed simultaneously at 2 and 4 m, suggesting that current recommendations for placement of reservoir dispensers in tree crowns may be suboptimal.
Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Patients with Rheumatologic Diseases Admitted to the ICU.

OBJECTIVE To assess the outcomes in a large cohort of patients suffering from rheumatic diseases admitted to the ICU of a tertiary university medical center. METHODS A retrospective chart analysis was performed in 108 patients suffering from various rheumatic diseases and the outcomes, including morbidity and mortality, were assessed in relation to the underlying diseases, treatments and complications. RESULTS Overall, 48 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, five patients with spondyloarthritis, 14 patients with vasculitis, 30 patients with connective tissue diseases and 11 patients suffering from other rheumatologic conditions were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The reasons for ICU admission included infection (30%), cardiovascular complications (22%), gastrointestinal problems (18%), endocrinological disorders (7%), neurological complications (2%) and others (3%). A total of 4% of the admitted patients required close monitoring and 14% suffered from acute exacerbation of the underlying rheumatic disease. The ICU mortality rate was 16%, whereas the overall hospital mortality rate was 20%. Fatal outcomes were related to exacerbation of the rheumatic disease in 14% of the patients, infectious complications in 46% of the patients and other reasons in 41% of the patients. An increased Apache II score, the need for mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, treatment with vasopressor drugs and plasma exchange therapy were identified as risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSION The overall outcomes of critically ill patients with rheumatic diseases are impaired compared to that observed in other patient groups. However, there were no significant differences in outcomes between the different rheumatic disease groups or based on the use of immunosuppressive therapy in this study. An increased Apache II score, the need for mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, treatment with vasopressor drugs and plasma exchange therapy were identified as risk factors for mortality.
Weighted prediction methods for improved motion compensation

Weighted prediction in the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video coding standard is a coding tool used primarily for improving coding efficiency during illumination changes, such as fading transitions. In this paper, we extend the usage of weighted prediction within the context of motion compensation in H.264, to further improve coding efficiency even for scenes with constant illumination characteristics. This is done by better exploiting coding tools already available in H.264 such as reference list reordering and multiple reference prediction.
Fuzzy stochastic differential equations of decreasing fuzziness: Non-Lipschitz coefficients

We study fuzzy stochastic differential equations driven by multidimensional Brownian motion with solutions of decreasing fuzziness. The drift and diffusion coefficients are random. Under a non-Lipschitz condition, the existence and pathwise uniqueness of solutions to such the equations are proven. The solutions are considered to be fuzzy stochastic processes. The main result is obtained with a help of a sequence of approximate solutions that converge to a desired unique local solution with trajectories having decreasing fuzziness. A parallel assertion for solutions to fuzzy stochastic differential equations of increasing fuzziness is stated as well. We indicate that our considerations of fuzzy stochastic differential equations of decreasing fuzziness can be applied to examine non-Lipschitz set-valued stochastic differential equations with solutions being set-valued stochastic processes.
Composite Pain Index: Reliability, Validity, and Sensitivity of a Patient-Reported Outcome for Research.

OBJECTIVE A single score that represents the multidimensionality of pain would be an innovation for patient-reported outcomes. Our aim was to determine the reliability, validity, and sensitivity of the Composite Pain Index (CPI). DESIGN Methodological analysis of data from a randomized controlled, pretest/post-test education-based intervention study. SETTING The study was conducted in outpatient oncology clinics. SUBJECTS The 176 subjects had pain, were 52 ± 12.5 years on average, 63% were female, and 46% had stage IV cancers. METHODS We generated the CPI from pain location, intensity, quality, and pattern scores measured with an electronic version of Melzack's McGill Pain Questionnaire. RESULTS The internal consistency values for the individual scores comprising the CPI were adequate (0.71 baseline, 0.69 post-test). Principal components analysis extracted one factor with an eigenvalue of 2.17 with explained variance of 54% at baseline and replicated the one factor with an eigenvalue of 2.11 at post-test. The factor loadings for location, intensity, quality, and pattern were 0.65, 0.71, 0.85, and 0.71, respectively (baseline), and 0.59, 0.81, 0.84, and 0.63, respectively (post-test). The CPI was sensitive to an education intervention effect. CONCLUSIONS Findings support the CPI as a score that integrates the multidimensional pain experience in people with cancer. It could be used as a patient-reported outcome measure to quantify the complexity of pain in clinical research and population studies of cancer pain and studied for relevance in other pain populations.
A phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase inhibitor wortmannin induces radioresistant DNA synthesis and sensitizes cells to bleomycin and ionizing radiation

ATM and DNA‐dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA‐PKcs) have been shown to have sequences homologous to the catalytic domains of mammalian phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐kinase). In order to determine the contribution of ATM and DNA‐PKcs to the increased sensitivity of cells to DNA‐damaging agents observed in the presence of PI3‐kinase inhibitors, we examined the effects of a PI3‐kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, on cellular sensitivity to bleomycin (BLM), mitomycin C (MMC), X‐irradiation and ultraviolet (UV)‐irradiation using 2 human tumor cell lines (T98G and A172), a human fibroblast cell line (LM217), an ataxia telangiectasia (AT) cell line (AT3BISV), a scid murine cell line (SCF) and a control murine cell line (CBF). Wortmannin sensitized all of the cells, including AT3BISV and SCF, to BLM and X‐irradiation, but not to MMC or UV‐irradiation. Hypersensitivity to BLM and X‐irradiation and normal sensitivity to MMC and UV‐irradiation are characteristic phenotypes of both AT and scid mice. DNA‐dependent protein kinase (DNA‐PK) activity was suppressed by wortmannin to 45–65% of the control values in all of the cells except SCF, in which DNA‐PK activity was not detected. Wortmannin also induced radioresistant DNA synthesis, which is a cellular phenotype of AT, in T98G and SCF cells, but did not change the DNA synthesis rates after X‐irradiation in AT3BISV. Our data suggest that wortmannin decreases the activities of both the ATM protein and DNA‐PK, indicating that it might be of use as a sensitizing agent for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Int. J. Cancer 78:642–647, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MR imaging pelvimetry: a useful adjunct in the treatment of women at risk for dystocia?

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to test the clinical value of MR imaging for diagnosing cephalopelvic disproportion and for predicting labor outcome in women at risk for dystocia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Antepartum fetal sonography and maternal MR imaging pelvimetry measurements were performed at term in 38 pregnant women at risk for dystocia with a single fetus in cephalic presentation. Various methods used to diagnose cephalopelvic disproportion were evaluated in a blinded manner for their accuracy to predict both the presence of cephalopelvic disproportion and the mode of delivery (vaginal vs cesarean). RESULTS None of the methods tested yielded both high sensitivity (15-100%) and high specificity (24-92%) for determining the presence of cephalopelvic disproportion and high levels of accuracy for predicting labor outcome (overall predictability, 50-74%). CONCLUSION To achieve increased reliability of MR imaging pelvimetry in the diagnosis and treatment of dystocia and in predicting labor outcome, new methods assessing fetal-pelvic compatibility, including measurements of the pelvic outlet and the shape and configuration of the pelvis, need to be established and prospectively tested before firm recommendations for clinical use can be made.
Decreased dopamine transporters with age in healthy human subjects

The effects of aging on brain dopamine transporters was evaluated in 26 healthy male volunteers (age range, 21–63 years) using positron emission tomography and [11C]cocaine. The ratio of the distribution volume for [11C]cocaine in basal ganglia to that in cerebellum was used as a model parameter for dopamine transporter availability and showed a significant negative correlation with age (r = 0.65, p < 0.0005). This results document an age‐related decline in dopamine transporters in healthy individuals.