Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Six-Minute Walk Test and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: A Comparative Analysis on Clinical and Prognostic Insights

Background—The six-minute walk test (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) are the 2 testing modalities most broadly used for assessing functional limitation in patients with heart failure (HF). A comprehensive comparison on clinical and prognostic validity of the 2 techniques has not been performed and is the aim of the present investigation. Methods and Results—Two hundred fifty-three patients diagnosed with systolic (n=211) or diastolic (n=42) HF (age: 61.9±10.1 years; New York Heart Association Class: 2.2±0.78) underwent a 6MWT and a symptom-limited CPET evaluation and were prospectively followed up. During the 4-year tracking period, there were 43 cardiac-related deaths with an annual cardiac mortality rate of 8.7%. The 6MWT distance correlated with CPET-derived variables (ie, peak Vo2, Vo2 at anaerobic threshold, and Ve/Vco2 slope) and was significantly reduced in proportion with lower peak Vo2 and higher Ve/Vco2 slope classes and presence of an exercise oscillatory breathing (EOB) pattern (P<0.01). However, no significant differences were observed in distance covered between survivors and nonsurvivors (353.2±95.8 m versus 338.5±76.4 m; P=NS). At univariate and multivariate Cox proportional analyses, the association of the 6MWT distance with survival was not significant either as a continuous or dicotomized variable (≤300 m). Conversely, CPET-derived variables emerged as prognostic with the strongest association found for EOB (systolic HF) and Ve/Vco2 slope (entire population with HF and patients with a 6MWT≤300 m). Conclusions—The 6MWT is confirmed to be a simple and reliable first-line test for quantification of exercise intolerance in patients with HF. However, there is no supportive evidence for its use as a prognostic marker in alternative to or in conjunction with CPET-derived variables.
Internationalization of R&D and Operations in Dominant Product U.S. Firms

Abstract An empirical study of a sample of 38 U.S. dominant product firms operating in manufacturing industries was undertaken to trace the patterns of internationalization of R&D and operations. First, the results of our analysis revealed that internationalization of R&D and operations were a significant part of the evolving internationalization strategies of the dominant product firms we studied. Second, while internationalization of operations was influenced by international configuration via global standardization, the internationalization of R&D was influenced by international configuration via national responsiveness and by competitive positioning via differentiation. Third, the results highlight the fact that the internationalization moves of dominant product firms are not all similar, but depend on the international configuration and competitive positioning pursued by the firms.
Bayesian Multiple Estimation in Flat Rician Fading MIMO Channels

In this paper, the performance of the singleestimation (SE) and multiple-estimation (ME) is investigated in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Rician flat fading channels using the traditional least squares (LS) estimator and the Bayesian minimum mean square error (MMSE) estimator. The closed form equations are obtained for mean square error (MSE) of the estimators in SE and ME cases under optimal training. In ME case, the optimal weight coefficients are achieved for both estimators. Analytical and numerical results show that the LS estimator has lower error in the case of ME than SE. Moreover, it is seen that the performance of MMSE channel estimator in the ME case is better than SE particularly at high signal to noise ratios (SNRs). Furthermore, it is shown that this estimator is more appropriate for the channels with weak line of sight (LOS) propagation paths and/or the low correlations.
Source impedance influence on cross-correlation phase noise measurements

The phase noise floor of an oscillator has been shown both theoretically and experimentally to be the ratio of the source noise power divided by the delivered power. In a 50Ω system this is determined by -177dBm - POUT in dBc/Hz. Recent measurements have shown what appears to be better than theoretical noise floors in some oscillators, assuming a 50Ω environment. However, oscillators rarely exhibit an output impedance of exactly 50Ω and vary significantly farther from the carrier. While the input impedance of a modern cross correlation analyzer may be 50Ω, the assumption the analyzer introduces 50Ω common mode noise can be erroneous. This paper presents theory and measurements that demonstrate the extremely low phase noise measured on some oscillators is real and not in violation of theoretical limits by isolating the noise sources in a series of additive phase noise measurements.
The effectiveness of mechanisms and guidelines for the implementation of the AIDS Action Programme in Zimbabwean secondary schools.

This study investigated the effectiveness of mechanisms and guidelines which were put in place by the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture, to facilitate the implementation of the Aids Action Programme in Zimbabwe schools. The sample consisted of twelve school heads and twenty-four teachers, drawn from the twelve secondary schools in Gweru district of Zimbabwe. Questionnaires were administered to teachers while the school heads were interviewed. The study found out that the mechanisms which have been put in place for the implementation of the Aids Action Programme were effective to a limited extent. A number of constraints which rendered the mechanisms and guidelines ineffective were unraveled. All school heads and most teachers indicated that time allocated to the program was inadequate, which impacted negatively on the success of the program. On capacity building, the study found out that teachers made a lot of initiatives in improving their education in line with contemporary and challenging issues such as HIV and AIDS. However, the percentage of teachers without in-service training remains high. Heads and teachers indicated the need for more workshops and seminars at any given time as this has an impact on the implementation process. Results also revealed that parents, families and communities were minimally involved. Shortage of teaching and learning materials specifically for HIV and AIDS and unavailability of syllabi were major drawbacks, which were bound to render the mechanisms ineffective. The study recommended that time allocated to teaching of HIV and AIDS should be increased to at least two periods per week and the subject should be examinable. Furthermore, capacity building should be enhanced so that training covers all teachers concerned with provision for periodic in-service training. There is need for continuous monitoring of the program to ensure effectiveness of mechanisms. The government should allocate a percentage of the AIDS levy to the Ministry of Education, Sport, and Culture in order to sustain the availability of resources needed in the teaching of this important subject.
Is Covered Interest Parity an Arbitrage or a Hedging Condition

Although covered interest parity (CIP) can be derived as an arbitrage or a hedging condition in the absence of the bid-offer spreads, the arbitrage condition collapses when the spreads are introduced. It is shown that CIP is better described as a hedging condition, which means that it cannot be used to measure the extent of capital mobility, as typically suggested in the literature. Furthermore, CIP is the results of a banking operation, and it holds irrespective of the market efficiency and the presence or otherwise of capital controls.
Control of repetitive firing in squid axon membrane as a model for a neuroneoscillator.

1. Repetitive firing in space‐clamped squid axons bathed in low Ca and stimulated by a just suprathreshold step of current can be annihilated by a brief depolarizing or hyperpolarizing pulse of the proper magnitude applied at the proper phase. 2. In response to such perturbations, membrane potential and ionic currents show damped oscillations toward a steady state. 3. For other, non‐annihilating, perturbations repetitive firing resumes with unaltered frequency but with phase resetting. 4. Experimental findings are compared with calculations for the space‐and current‐clamped Hodgkin‐Huxley equations. Annihilation of repetitive firing to a steady state corresponds to a solution trajectory perturbed off a stable limit cycle and into the domain of attraction of a coexistent stable singular point. 5. Experimentally and theoretically the nerve exhibits hysteresis with two different stable modes of operation for a just suprathreshold range of bias current: the oscillatory repetitive firing state and the time‐independent steady state. 6. Analogy is made to a brief synaptic input (excitatory or inhibitory) which may start or stop a biological pace‐maker.
Hedging Disclosure and its impact on firm’s value

Previous empirical research has developed many theoretical frameworks to explain the motives behind risk management and provide evidence that hedging does add value to the firm. However, the effect of disclosure on firm value has often been researched separately and the effect of hedging disclosure on the hedging premium is still largely untested today. This provides us with an opportunity to bring these two areas together, adding on to prior research undertaken within these fields. This paper aims to bridge the theoretical gap between the risk management and transparency research by testing if risk management disclosure has an effect on the hedging premium. We use foreign exchange risk as a proxy for risk management in line with previous research. Our sample consists of 193 non-financial Swedish firms listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 2009 from which 115 were classified as Hedger and assessed for their disclosure according to IFRS criteria as well as additional criteria defined to identify good disclosure company.
Family Ownership as the Optimal Organizational Structure?

Using panel data on 275 German exchange-listed companies I examine the relationship between founding-family ownership and firm performance. My results show that family firms are not only more profitable than widely-held firms but also outperform companies with other types of blockholders. However, the performance of family businesses is only better in firms where the founding-family is still active either in the executive or the supervisory board. The positive effect of family involvement is found to be strongest when the founder serves as CEO. These findings suggest that family ownership might be the optimal organizational structure to balance the two agency problems that minority shareholders are exposed to.
Data mining course in information system department- case study of King Abdulaziz University

Data mining (DM) is an essential course to be included in the curriculum of Information systems education. This paper highlights the importance of data Mining Course in the Information System (IS) department. We discussed the issues related with data mining texts books and practical tools, by using our previous experience with the students of Information System (IS) Department, Faculty of Computing & Information Technology (FCIT) in King Abdulaziz University (KAU) Jeddah. The paper focuses on importance of DM course, relation of DM course with IS department, discussion about selection of the text book, and finally discussion on different DM tools can be use in the labs. This paper provides comprehensive information on DM course, text books, and tools. This paper specially guides the DM students to select better course material in the form of text book and DM software tool for practical implementation of all data mining tasks.
Developing the high-flying registrar: a qualitative evaluation of the Severn Deanery education scholar programme

The introduction of the Education Scholarship and Education Fellowship programmes in the Severn Deanery in 2008 was in response to an emergent need for a more formalised career structure for the most able GPSTs and specifically for identified education scholars to progress over time from a scholar to temporary and substantive training programme director (TPD) posts. As a result, two scholars have progressed to being appointed as fellows (one-year fixed-term TPDs) over the last three years and one of these is now a TPD. This qualitative research study sought to identify the value and acceptance of the scholar scheme within the Severn Deanery and in particular assess the impact of the scholar scheme in terms of educational benefits, impact on professional practice and future career opportunities. It also undertook to examine the key factors affecting the quality of experience of the scholar scheme (e.g.induction, mentorship, autonomous vs. prescribed education opportunities etc.). Findings showed unequivocal and universal support for the scheme.
Genome scan of Han Chinese schizophrenia families from Taiwan: confirmation of linkage to 10q22.3.

OBJECTIVE Genome-wide linkage analyses of schizophrenia have identified several regions that may harbor schizophrenia susceptibility genes, but given the complex etiology of the disorder, it is unlikely that all susceptibility regions have been detected. To address this issue, the authors ascertained 606 Han Chinese families comprising 1,234 affected members. METHOD Probands with schizophrenia were recruited from six data collection field research centers in Taiwan. Each proband underwent a diagnostic screen with supplemental medical records and a semistructured interview. Following this screen, the authors administered the Mandarin Chinese version of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies. Best-estimate final diagnoses were made by two board-certified psychiatrists. The genotyping was conducted by the Center for Inherited Disease Research, with 386 markers spaced at an average of 9-centimorgan (cM) intervals. Empirical simulations were generated to determine genome-wide significance. RESULTS The authors found five regions with nonparametric linkage z scores 2.0 or greater. These were the following: 2.08 was reached for D1S551 (113.7) cM at 1p31.1 and 2.31 for D2S410 (125.2 cM) at 2q14.1; 2.00 was reached for D4S2361 (93.5 cM) at 4q21.23, and 2.07 for D15S1012 (36 cM) at 15q14, the largest nonparametric linkage z score was 2.88 for D10S2327 (100.92 cM) at 10q22.3. CONCLUSIONS Our 10q22.3 finding at 100.9 cM is consistent with a previously reported nonparametric linkage score of 4.27 at 107.2 cM on chromosome 10, although it did not attain genome-wide significance in this study.
The transcription factor TCFAP2C/AP-2gamma cooperates with CDX2 to maintain trophectoderm formation.

Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, Bonn D-53127, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Medical School, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen 45122, Germany; Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, Tikhoretski Ave. 4, St. Petersburg 194064, Russia; and Department of Molecular Medicine, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, Martinsried D-82152, Germany
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for residual depressive symptoms.

OBJECTIVES Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a new group-based intervention for prevention of relapse in recurrent depression which has not been scientifically evaluated regarding its clinical effectiveness for ameliorating residual depressive symptoms following a depressive episode. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of MBCT in reducing residual depressive symptoms in psychiatric outpatients with recurrent depression, and to particularly explore the effects of mindfulness techniques on rumination. DESIGN The design of this study was a mixed model complex design. Design 1 consisted of a consecutive series of patients. They were assigned to either MBCT or TAU. The independent variables were time and group allocation, and dependent variables were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Rumination Scale. In Design 2, the TAU group proceeded to complete an MBCT group, and the BDI and Rumination Scale results of the two groups were collapsed. METHOD Nineteen patients with residual depressive symptoms following a depressive episode, and who were attending outpatient clinic, were assigned to either MBCT or treatment as usual (TAU), with the TAU group then proceeding to complete an MBCT group. Depressive and ruminative symptoms were assessed before, during, and after treatment, and at one-month follow-up. RESULTS A significant reduction in depressive symptoms was found at the end of MBCT, with a further reduction at one-month follow-up. A trend towards a reduction in rumination scores was also observed. CONCLUSIONS Group MBCT has a marked effect on residual depressive symptoms, which may be mediated through the mindfulness-based cognitive approach towards excessive negative ruminations in patients with residual depressive symptoms following a depressive episode.
Measuring Consumer-Based Brand Equity - Evidence From Albanian Banking Sector

Today brands and branding have gained a lot of attention among academics and practitioners as well, since they are considered crucial for the success of a company. The branding literature, however, has been more focused on goods branding, relatively neglecting the services branding. Branding equity in services, as an important concept of services branding, also has not received the deserved attention from academics and services companies’ managers.The study aims to measure the brand equity in services sector, since brand equity is very important for monitoring of the health of services brands. It has been focused in the banking sector, a well-developed and consolidated sector which employs hundreds of individuals and has a very important role in Albanian economy. Nine banks, which make up more than 98 per cent of the domestic market in banking services (according to the official data of the Bank of Albania), were chosen to be included in the study. 250 bank customers were interviewed, using direct interviews. After an extensive literature review about the branding and services branding, seven measures were chosen and used to measure the services brand equity. The findings of the study gave interesting insights about services branding equity and services branding in general. It has important and useful implications for banks’ managers as well as for academics.
A novel method for isolation of membrane proteins: A baculovirus surface display system

We have developed a novel baculovirus surface display (BVSD) system for the isolation of membrane proteins. We expressed a reporter gene that encoded hemagglutinin gene fused in frame with the signal peptide and transmembrane domain of the baculovirus gp64 protein, which is displayed on the surface of BmNPV virions. The expression of this fusion protein on the virion envelope allowed us to develop two methods for isolating membrane proteins. In the first method, we isolated proteins directly from the envelope of budding BmNPV virions. In the second method, we isolated proteins from cellular membranes that had disintegrated due to viral egress. We isolated 6756 proteins. Of these, 1883 have sequence similarities to membrane proteins and 1550 proteins are homologous to known membrane proteins. This study indicates that membrane proteins can be effectively isolated using our BVSD system. Using an analogous method, membrane proteins can be isolated from other eukaryotic organisms, including human beings, by employing a host cell‐specific budding virus.
Switchable slot antenna using close-coupled biasing technique

This paper presents a reconfigurable slot antenna that uses a close-coupled biasing technique to facilitate the switching between two frequency bands. The technique uses a very thin double layered flexible copper clad Mylar substrate with the slot antenna on the front side and the biasing circuits at the backside of the design. The biasing circuit uses a conventional PIN diode to switch between ON and OFF states. Each state corresponds to a separate operating band. The switching from one sub-band to another is done electronically by means of a BAR64 diode. In this first example, the two bands are located close to each other to increase the bandwidth of the antenna. The resulting −10dB bandwidth increases by 20% as compared with the OFF-state. The antenna has mostly omnidirectional radiation patterns at the two frequency bands. Simulation and measurement results are compared and discussed which are to be in good agreement with one another.
Defining diff as a Data Mining Primitive

The emphasis on discovery in the knowledge discovery process while important in its own right, has distracted from the equally important process of knowledge representation and maintenance. For a system to indicate what is new or different, it must have an understanding of what is old or well understood or expected. In this paper, we propose diff as a fundamental data mining primitive. We show how it can be used to capture knowledge, either as a set of representative instances or as a set of rules, in a framework that is tightly integrated with the knowledge discovery process. We show how it can be applied to both discrete and continuous attributes and association rules. Lastly, we show how it enables the user to pinpoint high-level differences between two data sets that share the same attributes.
Dishevelled‐3 activates p65 to upregulate p120‐catenin transcription via a p38‐dependent pathway in non‐small cell lung cancer

Dishevelled‐3 (Dvl‐3) and p120‐catenin (p120ctn) have abnormal expression in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is associated with poor prognosis. Dvl‐3 upregulates p120ctn transcription in NSCLC cells, but the mechanism is unknown. Here we transiently transfected Dvl‐3 cDNA to NSCLC cells. Dvl‐3 transfection is sufficient for induction of p38 signaling. In turn, Dvl‐3 induces p38‐mediated activation of the p65 so as to facilitate its nuclear translocation. Treatment with SB203580 (p38 inhibitor) or BAY 11‐7082 (IκB‐α phosphorylation inhibitor) suppresses Dvl‐3 induced activation of p65. The results further show that active p65 interacts with PAX2 promoter to increase the expression of PAX2 and then PAX2 binds to p120ctn promoter so as to upregulate p120ctn gene transcription. Moreover, Dvl‐3 transfection enhanced the binding of active p65 to Sp1 so as to decrease the binding of Sp1 to p120ctn promoter. The above‐mentioned effects are linked to biological behavior of non‐small cell lung cancer cells. These findings confirm that p38 and PAX2 are important for the Dvl‐3 induced upregulation of p120ctn. Dvl‐3 activates a p38 → p65 → PAX2 → p120ctn pathway to affect biological behavior of NSCLC cells. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Service quality measurement: implications for healthcare sector in Bulgaria

The aim of the paper is to present the service quality situation in hospitals in North-Eastern Planning Region in Bulgaria. Our intention was to assess the gap between the expected and perceived healthcare service quality in hospitals. To meet these goals we conducted a study using prospective questionnaire provided by the GESITI project [management of system and information technology in hospitals (GESITI, 2013a)] and SERVQUAL scale. The results helped us to summarise the challenges for Bulgarian hospitals to diminish the 'quality gap' as well as to identify the critical factors for achieving high quality level of healthcare services. Several recommendations and implications for future research are defined at the end of the study.