Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of multiexponential diffusion features as MRI cancer therapy response metrics

The aim of this study was to empirically test the effect of chemotherapy‐induced tissue changes in a glioma model as measured by several diffusion indices calculated from nonmonoexponential formalisms over a wide range of b‐values. We also compared these results to the conventional two‐point apparent diffusion coefficient calculation using nominal b‐values. Diffusion‐weighted imaging was performed over an extended range of b‐values (120–4000 sec/mm2) on intracerebral rat 9L gliomas before and after a single dose of 1,3‐bis(2‐chloroethyl)‐1‐nitrosourea. Diffusion indices from three formalisms of diffusion‐weighted signal decay [(a) two‐point analytical calculation using either low or high b‐values, (b) a stretched exponential formalism, and (c) a biexponential fit] were tested for responsiveness to therapy‐induced differences between control and treated groups. Diffusion indices sensitive to “fast diffusion” produced the largest response to treatment, which resulted in significant differences between groups. These trends were not observed for “slow diffusion” indices. Although the highest rate of response was observed from the biexponential formalism, this was not found to be significantly different from the conventional monoexponential apparent diffusion coefficient method. In conclusion, parameters from the more complicated nonmonoexponential formalisms did not provide additional sensitivity to treatment response in this glioma model beyond that observed from the two‐point conventional monoexponential apparent diffusion coefficient method. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Initial test of a T9-like P300-based speller by an ALS patient

Objective. Visual P300-based brain–computer interface spellers offer a useful communication channel for locked-in patients, who are completely dependent in their daily lives. One of the research goals for these systems is to achieve greater communication rates by means of modifying some features of their interfaces, e.g., reducing the matrix size. However, such modifications may not work well with disabled end-users, such as patients of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), due to a supposed reduction of their cognitive resources. The purpose of the present study was to provide a proof of concept that ALS patients could efficiently use a P300-based speller with a 4 × 3 symbol matrix based on the T9 interface developed for mobile phones. Approach. We conducted an experiment with a sample of 11 able-bodied participants and one locked-in patient with ALS. All participants tested our T9-like visual P300-based speller and also two different 7 × 6 matrix spellers based on Farwell and Donchin’s classic proposal—one of them included a word predictor system like the T9-like speller did. Main results. The performance analyses indicated that the locked-in patient benefited from using a reduced matrix size as much as healthy users did, spelling words almost 1.6 times faster and equally accurately when using the T9-like speller than when using the alternative spellers. Significance. Due to counting on only one locked-in patient, the current work constitutes a feasibility study. The actual usability of systems such as the one proposed in this paper should be determined by means of studies with a greater number of end-users in real-life conditions.
Interactive Oracle Proofs with Constant Rate and Query Complexity

We study interactive oracle proofs (IOPs) [BCS16,RRR16], which combine aspects of probabilistically checkable proofs (PCPs) and interactive proofs (IPs). We present IOP constructions and techniques that enable us to obtain tradeoffs in proof length versus query complexity that are not known to be achievable via PCPs or IPs alone. Our main results are: 1. Circuit satisfiability has 3-round IOPs with linear proof length (counted in bits) and constant query complexity. 2. Reed-Solomon codes have 2-round IOPs of proximity with linear proof length and constant query complexity. 3. Tensor product codes have 1-round IOPs of proximity with sublinear proof length and constant query complexity. For all the above, known PCP constructions give quasilinear proof length and constant query complexity [BS08,Din07]. Also, for circuit satisfiability, [BKKMS13] obtain PCPs with linear proof length but sublinear (and super-constant) query complexity. As in [BKKMS13], we rely on algebraic-geometry codes to obtain our first result; but, unlike that work, our use of such codes is much "lighter" because we do not rely on any automorphisms of the code. We obtain our results by proving and combining "IOP-analogues" of tools underlying numerous IPs and PCPs: * Interactive proof composition. Proof composition [AS98] is used to reduce the query complexity of PCP verifiers, at the cost of increasing proof length by an additive factor that is exponential in the verifier's randomness complexity. We prove a composition theorem for IOPs where this additive factor is linear. * Sublinear sumcheck. The sumcheck protocol [LFKN92] is an IP that enables the verifier to check the sum of values of a low-degree multi-variate polynomial on an exponentially-large hypercube, but the verifier's running time depends linearly on the bound on individual degrees. We prove a sumcheck protocol for IOPs where this dependence is sublinear (e.g., polylogarithmic). Our work demonstrates that even constant-round IOPs are more efficient than known PCPs and IPs.
Analysis of periodic structures at oblique incidence by iterated finite-difference time-domain method

An iterated FDTD method is shown here which can be used for analysis of periodic structures at oblique incidence. The main principle of the algorithm is that the future field for the current iteration is replaced approximately by the field produced in the previous iteration with the time-shifted method. The calculated reflection coefficient of infinite gold plate agrees well with the analytical solution. Furthermore, the method is introduced into the simulation of three dimensional dispersive structure, and the ultra-transmission phenomenon of the structure with nano cylinder on silicon surface is verified theoretically. The results clearly show that the method overcomes the shortcomings compared with traditional method by the limitation of incidence angle, the lack of time domain fieldAn iterated FDTD method is shown here which can be used for analysis of periodic structures at oblique incidence. The main principle of the algorithm is that the future field for the current iteration is replaced approximately by the field produced in the previous iteration with the time-shifted method. The calculated reflection coefficient of infinite gold plate agrees well with the analytical solution. Furthermore, the method is introduced into the simulation of three dimensional dispersive structure, and the ultra-transmission phenomenon of the structure with nano cylinder on silicon surface is verified theoretically. The results clearly show that the method overcomes the shortcomings compared with traditional method by the limitation of incidence angle, the lack of time domain field evolution procession and the need for large meshes, which provides a new solution for the transmission properties of dispersive periodic structures under oblique incidence conditions. evolution procession and the need for large meshes, which provides a new solution for the transmission properties of dispersive periodic structures under oblique incidence conditions.
MEMETAKAN AKTOR POLITIK LOKAL BANTEN PASCA ORDE BARU: Studi Kasus Kiai dan Jawara di Banten

Abstract This study analyzed the role of cultural political actors in Banten: Kiai and Jawara. The political role of Kiai in Banten has risen and fell down. In 1945 until 1950, all of the Bupati in Banten were positioned by Kiai. Since that time to now, the leadership of Kiai has decreased. In New Order era, many Kiais were organized as supported organization of ruling party. It was mutualism relation, ruling party got mass supports and Kiai got material support for himself and pesantren. Jawara are rural strongmen or semi socially embedded men of prowess who are skillful in pencak silat and some are believed to have magical power, called ilmu. Some Jawara has been organized by Golkar party, since 1972. In post-Soeharto era, jawara has been predominance power. They put their family in many political positions both in executive and legislative. They use intimidation and violence to get their aim.On the other side, Kiai had been fragmented in many political powers, but still as supporting actor not as the main one. To fulfill their needs, both for their selves and for pesantren, some Kiais has done pragmatically and depended on others. The mix of political and economic weakness made Kiai failed to be a main actor in banten local politics. Keywords: Local politics, Local political actors, Power
Bis[2-(pyrrolidin-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole-κ2 N 2,N 3]copper(II) dinitrate dihydrate

In the title compound, [Cu(C11H13N3)2](NO3)2·2H2O, synthesized by hydrothermal reaction of Cu(NO3)2 and racemic 2-(pyrrolidin-2-yl)-1H-1,3-benzimidazole, the CuII atom lies on an inversion centre. The distorted octahedral CuII environment contains two planar trans-related N,N-chelating 2-(pyrrolidin-2-yl)-1H-1,3-benzimidazole ligands in the equatorial plane and two monodentate nitrate anions, which are in weak interaction with the Cu atom, in the axial positions. The two benzimidazole ligands have opposite configurations (R/S and S/R) and compound is a meso complex. In the crystal, N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds generate an infinite three-dimensional network. One methylene group of the pyrrolidine ring is disordered over two position with a 0.56 (3):0.44 (3) occupancy.
Evolutionary Dynamics of Insertion Sequences in Relation to the Evolutionary Histories of the Chromosome and Symbiotic Plasmid Genes of Rhizobium etli Populations

ABSTRACT Insertion sequences (IS) are mobile genetic elements that are distributed in many prokaryotes. In particular, in the genomes of the symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria collectively known as rhizobia, IS are fairly abundant in plasmids or chromosomal islands that carry the genes needed for symbiosis. Here, we report an analysis of the distribution and genetic conservation of the IS found in the genome of Rhizobium etli CFN42 in a collection of 87 Rhizobium strains belonging to populations with different geographical origins. We used PCR to generate presence/absence profiles of the 39 IS found in R. etli CFN42 and evaluated whether the IS were located in consistent genomic contexts. We found that the IS from the symbiotic plasmid were frequently present in the analyzed strains, whereas the chromosomal IS were observed less frequently. We then examined the evolutionary dynamics of these strains based on a population genetic analysis of two chromosomal housekeeping genes (glyA and dnaB) and three symbiotic sequences (nodC and the two IS elements). Our results indicate that the IS contained within the symbiotic plasmid have a higher degree of genomic context conservation, lower nucleotide diversity and genetic differentiation, and fewer recombination events than the chromosomal housekeeping genes. These results suggest that the R. etli populations diverged recently in Mexico, that the symbiotic plasmid also had a recent origin, and that the IS elements have undergone a process of cyclic infection and expansion.
The Impact of Organizational Culture on a Firm's Capability to Innovate the Business Model

Recent literature on business model innovation tries to identify operational changes occurring within the business model components. We suggest that a significant part of the business model cannot be understood without an investigation of the underlying logic of the firm. Drawing on organizational culture literature, this study explores the idea that parts of the capabilities that enable business model innovation are determined by the firm's underlying cultural values. In this study, we utilize existing literature on organizational culture to analyze the underlying organizational values of the two main business model design themes (novelty and efficiency) and link these to the firm's capabilities that foster business model innovation. By empirically analyzing a sample of 305 companies in the engineering industry, we find that novelty‐oriented cultural values foster capabilities (strategic sensitivity, collective commitment and resource fluidity) in favor of business model innovation, while efficiency‐oriented cultural values do not show positive effects. We further find that strategic sensitivity and resource fluidity significantly enhance the propensity to business model innovation.
An investigation of the motivation of hotel owners and operators to engage in earnings management

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the differential motivations of hotel owners and operators to engage in earnings management through the selective capitalisation or expensing of asset related expenditures. Design/methodology/approach - Research evidence has been collected via a mixed methods approach utilising 20 semi-structured interviews with key hotel management contract stakeholders in Australia and a questionnaire survey administered to hotel general managers in Australia and New Zealand. Findings - A review of the literature has resulted in an original distillation of 18 distinct earnings management motivations for hotel owners and operators. Qualitative data collected suggest an additional four motivations and that the primary motivation for hotel owners and operators to engage in earnings management stems from the two parties' desire to affect the size of the incentive management fee that is paid to hotel operators. A suggestion that operators have a greater tendency to seek to capitalise asset related expenditures, relative to owners, has been supported by both qualitative and quantitative data collected. Originality/value - This study appears to be the first to have examined the manner in which an idiosyncratic aspect of hotel governance can result in competing earnings management motivations between hotel owners and operators; the first to pursue a broad level of abstraction with respect to examining earnings management in the context of asset related expenditure capitalisation decision making; the first to assess the relative strength of earnings management motivations concerning the capitalisation or expensing of asset related expenditure; and the first to conduct earnings management research utilising a mixed methods research approach involving the conducting of face-to-face interviews as well as administration of a questionnaire survey.
Inducible Expression of Tau Repeat Domain in Cell Models of Tauopathy

We generated several cell models of tauopathy in order to study the mechanisms of neurodegeneration in diseases involving abnormal changes of tau protein. N2a neuroblastoma cell lines were created that inducibly express different variants of the repeat domain of tau (tauRD) when exposed to doxycycline (Tet-On system). The following three constructs were chosen: (i) the repeat domain of tau that coincides with the core of Alzheimer paired helical filaments; (ii) the repeat domain with the deletion mutation ΔK280 known from frontotemporal dementia and highly prone to spontaneous aggregation; and (iii) the repeat domain with ΔK280 and two proline point mutations that inhibit aggregation. The comparison of wild-type, pro-aggregation, and anti-aggregation mutants shows the following. (a) Aggregation of tauRD is toxic to cells. (b) The degree of aggregation and toxicity depends on the propensity for β-structure. (c) Soluble mutants of tauRD that cannot aggregate are not toxic. (d) Aggregation is preceded by fragmentation. (e) Fragmentation of tauRD in cells is initially due to a thrombin-like protease activity. (f) Phosphorylation of tauRD (at KXGS motifs) precedes aggregation but is not correlated with the degree of aggregation. (g) Aggregates of tauRD disappear when the expression is silenced, showing that aggregation is reversible. (h) Aggregation can be prevented by drugs and even pre-formed aggregates can be dissolved again by drugs. Thus, the cell models open up new insights into the relationship between the structure, expression, phosphorylation, aggregation, and toxicity of tauRD that can be used to test current hypotheses on tauopathy and to develop drugs that prevent the aggregation and degeneration of cells.
Corporate disclosure in relation to combating corporate bribery: a case study of two Chinese telecommunications companies

type="main"> This paper investigates the association between global community concerns about bribery activities and anti-bribery disclosure practices by two Chinese telecommunication companies operating internationally, namely China Mobile and ZTE. Based on content analysis of annual reports and global news media articles over a period of 16 years from 1995–2010, the findings suggest that the changes in the level of disclosures by the two major Chinese telecommunications companies were closely associated with the level of international concerns over bribery practices within the Chinese telecommunications industry. This finding indicates that the companies adopt anti-bribery disclosure practices in order to minimise the gap of trust (social capital) between companies themselves and global stakeholders. In this paper we argue that, for domestic companies in China, culturally constructed social capital, such as guanxi , creates a level of trust between managers and their stakeholders, which obviates the need for managers to disclose anti-bribery performance information. However, for companies operating internationally, as social capital is inadequate to bridge the gap of trust between managers and global stakeholders, managers use disclosures of anti-bribery performance information as a way to minimise such a gap.
LUMA Based Histogram for Image Enhancement

A luminance based multi scale retinex (LB_MSRCR) algorithm for the enhancement of darker images is proposed in this paper. The new technique consists only the addition of the convolution results of 3 different scales. In this way, the color noise in the shadow/dark areas can be suppressed and the convolutions with different scales can be calculated simultaneously to save CPU time. Color saturation adjustment for producing more natural colors is implemented. Each spectral band can be adjusted based on the enhancement of the intensity of the band and by using a color saturation parameter. The color saturation degree can be automatically adjusted according to different types of images by compensating the original color saturation in each band. Luminance control is applied to prevent the unwanted luminance drop at the uniform luminance areas by automatically detecting the luminance drop and keeping the luminance up to certain level that is evaluated from the original image. Down-sized convolution is used for fast processing and then the result is re-sized back to the original size. Performance of the new enhancement algorithm is tested in various images captured at different lighting conditions. It is observed that the new technique outperforms the conventional MSRCR technique in terms of the quality of the enhanced images and computational speed.
CHINA'S ACCESSION TO THE WTO AND IMPACTS ON LIVESTOCK TRADE AND PRODUCTION PATTERNS

We analyze the implications of agricultural and comprehensive trade liberalization in the Chinese economy, utilizing a disaggregate CGE model incorporating developing economy features. Special attention is paid to the implications of reform for China's livestock and meat production and trade patterns. Paper Presented at the International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium Conference January 18-19, 2001 Auckland, New Zealand
Valley current mode control of a bi-directional hybrid DC-DC converter

In power electronic converters working with PWM discontinuous control loops is very often used. This paper analyses the implementation of a valley current mode (VCM) control in a bi-directional hybrid DC-DC converter (HBDC) used in renewable energy applications. Analytical descriptions, digital simulation and experimental results performed on a laboratory prototype are presented in order to prove the control operation in both power flow modes, emphasizing the transition between step-up and step-down regimes.
Characteristics evaluation and parameter extraction of a solar array based on experimental analysis

This paper proposes a Newton-Raphson based parameter extraction method based on experimental analysis for modeling of a PV panel. In this method, pre-knowledge of open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, maximum power point voltage and current is not necessary. Hence, the proposed parameter extraction method and analysis described in this paper can be suitably employed to obtain the panel dynamics for a PV panel without any information of voltage, current or power rating. Together with the parameter extraction, I-V and P-V characteristics and maximum power point tracking analysis has also been conducted to the PV panel.
Public Action And Social Capital In Rural Areas

The paper deals with the process of building social capital as constrained by the availability of public and private services. The purpose is to show that social capital shapes, both in positive and negative terms, the capacity of local institutions to support development projects and strategies. The analysis shows that a higher level of social capital gives to communities a stronger planning capacity; a lower level of social capital implies that new initiatives are implemented only if they give private individual benefits; a higher level of social capital generates actions that increase and improve social capital itself. The first section outlines the logical links between the concept of social capital and the availability of “services”. Social capital is here seen as a public good. Section 3 focuses on the relationship between the supply of public services and the level of social capital. Section 4 compares the Italian case with other cases in Northern Europe. The concluding section shows the relationship between marginality and the availability of public goods. It contributes to the analysis of the relationship between social capital and development, showing that there is both a theoretical framework and evidence that justify the “principle” that public action supporting social capital has a major role in determining the performance of development strategies and actions.
The Public Finance and the Economic Growth in the First Portuguese Republic

The end of the 19th century was marked by several events which were extremely important to Portugal. The consequences of these events would later be responsible for the fall of the Monarchy and, thus, for the birth of the Republic. The first Republic was officially proclaimed on the 5th October 1910, and had a relatively short lifetime. This regime was later abolished by a military dictatorship. During most of its duration, the First Republic was marked by economic, financial, political and social instability. However, the Portuguese economic scenario started to change and improved by the end of this regime and, consequently, before the beginning of the Military Dictatorship, which ended up taking advantage of the ‘new’ and more favourable economic situation of the country. Additionally we find evidence that in the first two civil years of the Military Dictatorship, the real GDP grew sharply and above our prediction, and the public debt as percentage of GDP, had a more significant reduction then predicted.
Simulating water dispersion in chinese absorbent paper with capillary tubes model

This research proposes a porous model for water dispersion in Chinese absorbent paper, a family of papers for Chinese ink painting. The absorbent paper is regarded as a filter membrane with capillary tubes and Darcy's Law is applied for fluid dynamic. Experiments prove that such simulation provides promising results and can be amended and applied for simulating other capillary action in paper such as Chinese ink dispersion in realtime.