Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A first year, VHDL based, digital electronics course

Most classical digital electronics textbooks have addressed the design with hardware description languages (HDL) as an addition to the traditional curricula. This is true, due that the design of digital circuits and the HDL specification are not taught simultaneously, but separated through time. Usually both are studied in different courses. The goal of this paper is to present a novel approach that simultaneously performs the introduction to digital electronics with the introduction to the specification of circuits using the VHDL language. In addition, the course is designed for the Telecommunications Program first year (Spring) with option in telematics, such that the previous knowledge of the students is reduced to a fundamental course in electrical circuits.
Three-dimensional skull registration based on clifford algebra pupil distance invariability and visualization platform building

Aiming at the multi-modal three-dimensional skull registration, a methodology for constructing invariants of pupil distance relative features based on Clifford algebra is proposed in present work. Through hybrid programming of MATLAB and C#, a corresponding visualization registration platform is built for visualization operation. The algorithm proposed here is accomplished in the Clifford algebra space, in which binocular corneal highest feature points is utilized to calculate the pupil distance and construct geometric feature axis, and the registration is realized by rotation operator. The visualization registration platform integrates functions of three-dimensional reconstruction, translation, rotation, intercepting section, database access, etc. It allows researchers to analyze the registration fusion effect better. Additionally, MySQL database is embedded in the platform to store registration procedures, which provides intuitive and detailed registration information for medical workers and plays a great supporting role for the furthermore study of registration algorithm. Experimental results indicate that the registration algorithm is effective, and the visualization platform also performs well in medical image visualization and interactive operation.
Determining Some Exterior and Interior Quality Traits of Japanese Quail Eggs (Coturnix japonica)

The aim of this research was to determine some exterior and interior quality traits of Japanese quail eggs. A total of 60 Japanese quail eggs were collected from two different farms near Novi Sad, and the eggs quality traits were tested in the laboratory of poultry science at the Department of Animal Science of the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad. The egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight, shell breaking force, shell thickness, albumen height and egg yolk colour were determined. The external and internal egg quality traits of quail eggs from two farms in Serbia do not differ from the results of quality traits from other countries.
Understanding Youth Violence: Rationality and its Limits

Abstract Many child welfare interventions are precipitated by acts of violence and disrespect against children: various forms of child abuse, humiliation, and life-endangering neglect. Also, those who have been victimized by violence and who become child welfare clients, all too often, come into conflict with the law because of their own violent behavior. Accordingly, understanding acts of violence is an important subject for child welfare. Yet, when sociological research looks beyond the structural or cultural background factors that influence rates of youth violence and examines the violent acts themselves, it finds that many aspects cannot be grasped using models of rational action. The main categories of these models—“means” and “ends”—cannot sufficiently explain the behavior of young offenders; often they cannot explain it at all because these youths remain marked by their early experiences of victimization and their subsequent life paths. This article attempts to illuminate the complexities of violent victimization and behavior using examples taken from the author’s study on “violent careers,” which has been grounded in intensive interviews with young repeat offenders.
Nicotine Induces the Up-regulation of the α7-Nicotinic Receptor (α7-nAChR) in Human Squamous Cell Lung Cancer Cells via the Sp1/GATA Protein Pathway*

Background: Nicotine promotes the proliferation of human squamous cell lung cancer (SCC-L) via the α7-nicotinic receptor (nAChR). Results: Nicotine increases α7-nAChR expression via transcriptional mechanisms involving Sp1 and GATA proteins. Conclusion: Nicotine-induced up-regulation of α7-nAChR accelerates the growth of human SCC-L. Significance: SCC-L patients exposed to nicotine display fast growing lung tumors and worse clinical outcomes. Nicotine, the addictive component of cigarettes, promotes lung cancer proliferation via the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) subtype. The present manuscript explores the effect of nicotine exposure on α7-nAChR levels in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (SCC-L) in vitro and in vivo. Nicotine (at concentrations present in the plasma of average smokers) increased α7-nAChR levels in human SCC-L cell lines. Nicotine-induced up-regulation of α7-nAChR was confirmed in vivo by chicken chorioallantoic membrane models. We also observed that the levels of α7-nAChR in human SCC-L tumors (isolated from patients who are active smokers) correlated with their smoking history. Nicotine increased the levels of α7-nAChR mRNA and α7-nAChR transcription in human SCC-L cell lines and SCC-L tumors. Nicotine-induced up-regulation of α7-nAChR required GATA4 and GATA6. ChIP assays showed that nicotine induced the binding of GATA4 or GATA6 to Sp1 on the α7-nAChR promoter, thereby inducing its transcription and increasing its levels in human SCC-L. Our data are clinically relevant because SCC-L patients smoked for decades before being diagnosed with cancer. It may be envisaged that continuous exposure to nicotine (in such SCC-L patients) causes up-regulation of α7-nAChRs, which facilitates tumor growth and progression. Our results will also be relevant to many SCC-L patients exposed to nicotine via second-hand smoke, electronic cigarettes, and patches or gums to quit smoking.
Development of Proposals for Improvement of Internationalisation Support for SMEs in Lapland, Finland

LAPLAND UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES Degree programme: International Business Management Writer(s): Abong Nico Atemnkoh Thesis title: Development of Proposals for Improvement of SME Internationalisation Support in Lapland, Finland Pages (of which appendices): 140 (x) Date: Thesis instructor(s): Dr Jauhola Esa The main object of this research work is to develop proposal for improvement of SME internationalization support in Finnish Lapland. These proposals relate to current support services, support implementation strategies and collaboration in the implementation process. In addition strategies are proposed for target market consolidation and diversification. The proposals put forward are based on strong theoretical and empirical evidences collected and analysed during the research process. Theoretical data used mainly include general theories, concepts and models on SME internationalisation and results from related researches conducted in Finland, the EC, OECD and APEC countries. These data forms the conceptual framework for the research The main sources of empirical data in for this research are SMEs and BSOs in Lapland. Interviews, questionnaires and observations are used in data collection. The interviews are conducted through face-to-face meeting and questionnaires are distributed using online survey. Both qualitative and qualitative methods are used in the collection and analysis of empirical data, Based on analysed data, proposals are advanced for improvement SME internationalisation support in Lapland. These proposals related to improvement of SME access to vital information, effective collaboration between support service providers and target market consolidation and diversification. Improvement of SME access to information. Three strategy models and approaches are also proposed. These include a structure collaboration and coordination SME internationalisation support actor in Lapland, an Industry-based approach to identifying opportunities in emerging regions and an SME internationalisation support model This research and development work is commission by Kemin Digipolis. Lapin Elykeskus provided financially assistance. Lapin Yrittäjät reviewed and distributed questionnaire to SMEs in Lapland.
EMD-based denoising methods in the MEMS gyroscope de-drift

The Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) gyroscope have a wide range of applications because of the virtue of compact size, low cost and power consumption, and mass production. Since the MEMS gyroscope usually has the large drift, how to effectively reduce the random drift error is crucial in improving the gyroscope precision and performance. In this paper, we propose a new de-drift method based on the recently developed empirical mode decomposition (EMD). The proposed EMD-based method is able to reduce the noise term of random drift. The method is also compared to a related approach based on the Wavelet filtering method. Experiment results indicated that the drift noise parameters were reduced and noise signals were adequately restrained.
Post-Transition China

Economic activity in China, and indeed anywhere in the world, is embedded in, and shaped by, a complex web of societal factors that in their entirety form what is known as a ‘business system’. The objective of this chapter is to provide a brief exposition of the main business systems present in today’s China - state-owned, private, and local corporate. We begin by explaining the notion of a business system and its component parts and then apply the business systems approach to the case of China. We conclude by posing three major questions for the future evolution of the Chinese business systems, and thus for the future of the Chinese economy more generally.
Antecedents of ERP in Service Firms

There have been studies of the adoption of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, the need for research within service sector is increasing. Thus, this study investigates adoption of ERP systems within service firms by a survey. Furthermore, antecedents of ERP adoption are investigated. The study proposes providing an insight about enterprise resource planning (ERP) adoption, theoretical background illustrates the pertinent literature on ERP systems in services and identifies antecedents of ERP adoption in the extant literature. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents, 82%, have adopted ERP. This study highlights and explains the reasons of deployment of ERP systems in service firms.
Measuring brand equity for logistics services

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a test of scales that measure brand equity and its two dimensions – brand image and brand awareness – in the context of logistics services. The scales are tested with both logistics service providers and customers.Design/methodology/approach – Measurement items are adapted from existing scales found in the marketing literature. Academic colleagues and logistics practitioners reviewed the items for face validity and readability. The scales are evaluated for reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity using data collected in a mail survey of logistics service providers and customers.Findings – Findings suggest that brand awareness, brand image, and brand equity scales are valid and reliable in the context of logistics services.Research limitations/implications – While there is a substantial research stream that examines branding of consumer goods and an increasing literature on industrial and service brands, little is known about branding in .
Alterations of tumor-related genes do not exactly match the histopathological grade in gastric adenocarcinomas.

AIM To investigate the diverse characteristics of different pathological gradings of gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) using tumor-related genes. METHODS GA tissues in different pathological gradings and normal tissues were subjected to tissue arrays. Expressions of 15 major tumor-related genes were detected by RNA in situ hybridization along with 3' terminal digoxin-labeled anti-sense single stranded oligonucleotide and locked nucleic acid modifying probe within the tissue array. The data obtained were processed by support vector machines by four different feature selection methods to discover the respective critical gene/gene subsets contributing to the GA activities of different pathological gradings. RESULTS In comparison of poorly differentiated GA with normal tissues, tumor-related gene TP53 plays a key role, although other six tumor-related genes could also achieve the Area Under Curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic independently by more than 80%. Comparing the well differentiated GA with normal tissues, we found that 11 tumor-related genes could independently obtain the AUC by more than 80%, but only the gene subsets, TP53, RB and PTEN, play a key role. Only the gene subsets, Bcl10, UVRAG, APC, Beclin1, NM23, PTEN and RB could distinguish between the poorly differentiated and well differentiated GA. None of a single gene could obtain a valid distinction. CONCLUSION Different from the traditional point of view, the well differentiated cancer tissues have more alterations of important tumor-related genes than the poorly differentiated cancer tissues.
Patient and physician factors associated with pulmonary function testing for COPD: a population study.

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of COPD is made by objectively demonstrating nonreversible airflow obstruction of the lungs. Despite this, rates of pulmonary function testing (PFT) for diagnosis remain low. It is still not known why testing is underused. METHODS We conducted a population study using the health administrative data of all individuals 35 years of age and older newly diagnosed with COPD in Ontario, Canada, between 2000 and 2010. Receipt of PFT during the peridiagnostic period (between 1 year before and 1 year after a diagnosis of COPD) was determined and related to patient demographic and clinical characteristics as well as primary care physician and health-care system factors. RESULTS Only 35.9% of the 491,754 Ontarians newly diagnosed with COPD during the study period received PFT. Individuals diagnosed before age 50 years or after age 80 years, those living in long-term care, and those with stroke and/or dementia were less likely to receive testing. Patients who had a medical specialist involved in their care and/or had other coexisting pulmonary disease were more likely to receive testing. Finally, older primary care physicians were less likely to order testing for their patients. CONCLUSIONS Only about one-third of individuals with COPD in Ontario, Canada, received PFT to confirm their diagnosis; age, comorbidity, and physician factors appear to influence its use. Targeted strategies that address these factors could increase the rate of appropriate testing of people with suspected COPD and improve quality of COPD care.
The antecedents of preventive health care behavior: An empirical study

A conceptual model of preventive health care behavior is proposed and tested. Results suggest that preventive health care behaviors are strongly influenced by the value consumers perceive in engaging in such actions. This value is greatly affected by response efficacy, or the person’s belief that a specific action will mitigate the health threat. A separate consideration affecting adherence to a prescribed preventive health care behavior is self-efficacy, or the person’s belief that the target behaviors can be enacted. Additionally, health motivation and health consciousness are also shown to influence preventive health care behaviors. Future research directions and managerial implications of the findings are outlined.
Analyst Coverage and the Economic Implications of Corporate Disclosure: Quasi-Experimental Evidence

We provide causal evidence that a loss of external monitoring by securities analysts leads managers to substitute from real activities manipulation towards accrual-based earnings management. We isolate a causal eect by using a quasi-experimental design that exploits exogenous reductions in analyst coverage resulting from brokerage house mergers. The extent of substitution varies systematically with rms’ initial analyst coverage, as well as the costs of using each of these earnings management tools. Our results suggest that, while their scrutiny constrains accrual-based earnings management, securities analysts may nevertheless pressure managers to meet expectations through real activities manipulation.
An Evaluation Of Italian Banks In The Period Of Financial Distress

This paper evaluates the performance of Italian banks during the 2006-2009 period. Banks are analysed according to their business models and their main activities. The analysis focuses on both cooperative and commercial banks. By contrast to commercial banks, Italian cooperative banks do not perceive profit-making as a principle itself. These banks have been able to accumulate capital and provide credit to customers despite the ongoing crisis. On average, they manage their loan portfolio better than commercial banks. Findings suggest that cooperative banking in Italy should be encouraged due to its positive contribution to economic development and possibly financial stability.
Consumer-Based Brand Equity and Firm Risk

Investors and managers evaluate potential investments in terms of risk and return. Research has focused on linking marketing activities and resource deployments with returns but has largely neglected marketing's role in determining risk. Yet the theoretical literature asserts that investments in market-based assets, such as brands, should lead to reductions in firm risk. Adopting risk measures that are well established in the finance literature, the authors use credit ratings to capture debt-holder risk and the standard deviation of stock returns to measure equity-holder risk, which they then decompose into systematic and unsystematic equity risk. The authors examine the impact of consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) on firm risk using data covering 252 firms from EquiTrend, COMPUSTAT, and the Center for Research in Security Prices over the 2000–2006 period. They find that a firm's CBBE is associated with firm risk and explains variance in the risk measures beyond that explained by existing finance models (i.e., it has “risk relevance”). They also find that CBBE has a stronger role in predicting firm-specific unsystematic risk than systematic risk but that it also has a particularly strong role in protecting equity holders from downside systematic risk. The results have clear economic significance and suggest that managers should make brand management part of the firm's risk management strategy and protect or even increase CBBE investments during periods of economic uncertainty.
CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING AND SITUATION IN TURKEY

The need to provide stakeholders with the information whether the corporate sustainability obligations imposed on business have been met or not, necessitated environmental and social data to be reported and presented alongside financial information relating to operating activities.This study puts forth conceptual explanations related to sustainability, and sustainability reporting framework for sustainability reporting, organizations and indexes, and then reveals the sustainability reporting situation in Turkey. To this end, in line with data in the corporate sustainability portal as of May 2015, corporate sustainability reports in Turkey were analysed. According to the data obtained from this portal, a total of 181 corporate sustainability reports were published by 72 organizations in Turkey between the years 2005-2014. 130 of these reports were based on the GRI reporting guidelines.This study on corporate sustainability reporting contains 26 benchmarks related to organizations issuing reports and the reports themselves. In this study, sector distribution of the organizations issuing corporate sustainability reports, their sizes, publicity, availability on the stock market, the number of employees, turnover, GRI OS (Global Reporting Initiative - Organizational Stakeholders) membership, UNGC (United Nations Global Compact) membership and types of issued corporate sustainability reports, the release years, the reporting periods, the report language, GRI application levels, GRI application statements, reference, auditing, audit providers, industry attachment, stakeholder panel/expert opinion have been identified as the criteria.
Entrepreneurial Mutual Fund Managers

I study how mutual funds invest in public U.S. firms where founding family members retain a significant portion of shares. I posit that informed funds exploit the opaque nature of family firms by holding large positions when they have good private signals about the firms. By studying actively managed U.S. equity mutual funds from 2001 to 2010, I show that more cautious funds (e.g., funds affiliated with larger fund families, funds affiliated with a commercial lending conglomerate, and funds offering an institutional class) invest less in family firms than conventional funds. Consistent with the informed trading hypothesis, I find a positive relation between funds’ holdings of family firms and subsequent fund performance, which mainly arises from superior returns of their family firm positions. Entrepreneurial mutual funds -- funds in the top decile of family firm holdings within each fund category -- outperform other funds by 0.82 (0.77) percentage points per year in terms of Carhart’s four-factor alpha (liquidity-adjusted five-factor alpha). The fund outperformance becomes more pronounced when they hold family firms with higher information asymmetry. Trades by "informed funds" strongly predict future stock returns of family firms. The information advantage of entrepreneurial funds substantially declined after the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Comparison and Evaluation of Methods for Liver Tumor Classification from CT Datasets

This paper proposes an automatic system for early detection of liver diseases from Computed tomography (CT) images. The general Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system, including liver diagnosis can be done by segmenting a liver and lesion, extracting features and classify disease whether it is hepatoma or hemangioma. To segment a liver from CT abdominal images histogram analyzer and morphological operation is used. Then to extract a lesion from liver Fuzzy c-mean (FCM) clustering is used. In feature extraction biorthogonal wavelet, Gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and fast discrete curvelet transform (FDCT) techniques are used. The textural information obtained was used to train various neural network such as Back propagation Neural Network (BPN), Probabilistic Neural Network (PPN) and Cascade feed forward BPN (CFBPN). The outcome obtained from neural networks are compared with each other to find best combination of features and neural network.
THE INCORPORATION OF D-ALLOSE INTO THE GLYCOLYTIC PATHWAY BY AEROBACTER AEROGENES.

A. aerogenes produces an inducible enzyme system that converts allose to fructose-6-phosphate. The first step is a phosphorylation to yield allose-6-phos-phate. Evidence is presented that indicates an isomerase transforms allose-6-phosphate to allulose-6-phosphate which is subsequently converted to fructose-6-phosphate by a 3-epimerase.