Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth characteristics in cerebral palsy subtypes: a comparative assessment

Children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP) have been found to have growth rates that differ from those of children with typical development. Little research has been performed to distinguish whether growth patterns in hemiplegic, diplegic, and quadriplegic CP differ from one another. The purpose of this study was to compare growth of children with quadriplegic, hemiplegic, and diplegic CP.
Venture Capital and the Finance of Innovation

This article contains the front matter plus the first chapter from the textbook, Venture Capital and the Finance of Innovation. The book is intended for finance classes on venture capital at the MBA or advanced undergraduate level. The book is divided into four parts, with six chapters each. Each of these four parts has a major finance theme: the theme of Part I is the relationship between risk and return; the theme of Part II is the valuation of high-growth companies; the theme of Part III is the analysis of capital structure; the theme of Part IV is the relationship between strategy and finance. Overall, Parts I and II are heavy on data and definitions and are intended to provide students with the vocabulary of VC and knowledge of the key industry facts. Although these two parts contain some new definitions and approaches, most of the material should seem familiar to a VC practitioner. In contrast, Parts III and IV are more theory based and provide a new perspective on the evaluation of VC and other high-technology investments. Although these latter two parts might seem experimental to a practicing VC, financial economists will recognize the material as a straightforward translation of well-known methods.
Blood lipid concentrations and lipoprotein patterns in captive and wild American black bears (Ursus americanus).

OBJECTIVE To compare blood lipid concentrations and lipoprotein patterns for captive and wild American black bears (Ursus americanus). ANIMALS 7 captive and 9 wild adult (> or = 4 years old) black bears. PROCEDURE Blood was collected from 2 groups of captive black bears (groups A and B) and 1 group of wild black bears (group C). Blood triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol concentrations were compared among groups. Plasma lipoproteins were isolated by use of a self-generating gradient of iodixanol, and lipoprotein patterns were compared between groups A and B. RESULTS Captive bears (mean +/- SD, 187.8 +/- 44.4 kg) weighed significantly more than wild bears (mean, 104.8 +/- 41.4 kg), but mean body weight did not differ between groups A and B. Mean blood TG concentrations for groups B (216.8 +/- 16.0 mg/dL) and C (190.7 +/- 34.0 mg/dL) were significantly higher than that of group A (103.9 +/- 25.3 mg/dL). Mean blood cholesterol concentration was also significantly higher for group B (227.8 +/- 8.2 mg/dL) than for groups A (171.7 +/- 35.5 mg/dL) or C (190.8 +/- 26.8 mg/dL). Mean very-low-density lipoprotein TG and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were 2- and 3-fold higher, respectively, for group B, compared with concentrations for group A. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Blood lipid concentrations vary significantly among populations of black bears. Plasma lipoprotein patterns of captive bears differed significantly between colonies and may have reflected differences in diet or management practices.
Calcium Signalling in Mouse Bergmann Glial Cells Mediated by α1‐adrenoreceptors and H1 Histamine ‐ Receptors

The presence of adrenergic and histaminergic receptors in Bergmann glial cells from cerebellar slices from mice aged 20–25 days was determined using fura‐2 Ca2+ microfluorimetry. To measure the cytoplasmic concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), either individual cells were loaded with the Ca2+‐sensitive probe fura‐2 using the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique or slices were incubated with a membrane‐permeable form of the dye (fura‐2/AM) and the microfluorimetric system was focused on individual cells. The monoamines adrenalin and noradrenalin (0.1‐10 μM) and histamine (10‐100 μM) triggered a transient increase in [Ca2+]i. The involvement of the α1‐adrenoreceptor was inferred from the observations that monoamine‐triggered [Ca2+]i responses were blocked by the selective α1‐adreno‐antagonist prazosin and were mimicked by the α1‐adreno‐agonist phenylephrine. The monoamine‐induced [Ca2+]i signals were not affected by β‐ and α2‐adrenoreceptor antagonists (propranolol and yohimbine), and were not mimicked by β‐ and α2‐adrenoreceptor agonists (isoproterenol and clonidine). Histamine‐induced [Ca2+]i responses demonstrated specific sensitivity to only H1 histamine receptor modulators. [Ca2+]i responses to monoamines and histamine did not require the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and they were blocked by preincubation of slices with thapsigargin (500 nM), indicating that the [Ca2+]i increase is due to release from intracellular pools. No [Ca2+]i responses were recorded after application of aspartate, bradykinin, dopamine, GABA, glycine, oxytocin, serotonin, somatostatin, substance P, taurine or vasopressin. We conclude that cerebellar Bergmann glial cells are endowed with α1 ‐adrenoreceptors and H1 histamine receptors which induce the generation of intracellular [Ca2+]i signals via activation of Ca2+ release from inositol‐l,4,5‐trisphosphate‐sensitive intracellular stores.
Coûts historiques vs. justes valeurs pour mesurer le résultat comptable ? Les arguments comparés des professionnels du chiffre

L’ANC a lance en 2011 un appel a projet evoquant la necessite de rehabiliter le compte de resultat en ecartant la comptabilisation de profits non realises, prenant ainsi le contre-pied de la conception developpee par l’IASB. L’objectif prioritaire de notre recherche est donc, en reponse a cet appel a projet, de comprendre quels sont les arguments developpes par les professionnels du chiffre en faveur de l’integration, ou du rejet, de plus-values latentes dans la determination du resultat comptable. Quelles sont les argumentations developpees en faveur de l’approche dite moniste qui induit le recours exclusif a des couts historiques (CH), ou de l’approche dualiste, favorable au recours aux justes valeurs (JV) ? L’etude qualitative porte sur 31 entretiens semi-directifs. De la double analyse de contenu, lexicale puis thematique, il ressort tout d’abord des proximites de langage et de preoccupations entre certaines professions qui depassent le clivage emetteur/utilisateur de l’information comptable. Il ressort ensuite que CH et JV ne sont pas caracteristiques de modeles comptables opposables, mais bien complementaires de nos jours, du point de vue des professionnels interroges.
Smart cities, healthy kids: the association between neighbourhood design and children's physical activity and time spent sedentary.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether, and to what extent, a relation exists between neighbourhood design and children's physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Saskatoon. METHODS Three neighbourhood designs were assessed: 1) core neighbourhoods developed before 1930 that follow a grid pattern, 2) fractured-grid pattern neighbourhoods that were developed between the 1930s and mid-1960s, and 3) curvilinear-pattern neighbourhoods that were developed between the mid-1960s through to 1998. Children aged 10-14 years (N=455; mean age 11.7 years), grouped by the neighbourhoods they resided in, had their physical activity and sedentary behaviour objectively measured by accelerometry for 7 days. ANCOVA and MANCOVA (multivariate analysis of covariance) models were used to assess group differences (p<0.05). RESULTS Group differences were apparent on weekdays but not on weekend days. When age, sex and family income had been controlled for, children living in fractured-grid neighbourhoods had, on average, 83 and 55 fewer accelerometer counts per minute on weekdays than the children in the core and curvilinear-pattern neighbourhoods, respectively. Further analyses showed that the children in the fractured-grid neighbourhoods accumulated 15 and 9 fewer minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day and had a greater time spent in sedentary behaviour (23 and 17 minutes) than those in core and curvilinear-pattern neighbourhoods, respectively. CONCLUSION These data suggest that in Saskatoon there is a relation between neighbourhood design and children's physical activity and sedentary behaviours. Further work is needed to tease out which features of the built environments have the greatest impact on these important lifestyle behaviours. This information, offered in the context of ongoing development of neighbourhoods, as we see in Saskatoon, is critical to an evidence-informed approach to urban development and planning.
ESTUDO DO CO-MOVIMENTO DOS MERCADOS LATINOS: UMA ANÁLISE DE WAVELETS

O estudo do co-movimento das series financeiras e uma importante fonte de informacao para a analise dos beneficios da diversificacao das carteiras e para o gerenciamento do risco de portfolios internacionais. Tendo por base essa ideia, o presente trabalho procurou analisar a estrutura de correlacao entre os retornos e a correlacao da volatilidade de seis mercados latino-americanos e o mercado mundial, por meio da abordagem de wavelets. Essa tecnica decompoe a serie em diferentes frequencias ao longo do tempo, permitindo resultados mais consistentes que a tradicional analise do coeficiente de correlacao. Foi possivel concluir, por meio deste trabalho, que a associacao entre os mercados latinos e o mercado mundial aumenta em frequencias mais baixas, demonstrando que o comportamento da volatilidade e dos retornos e muito semelhante dentre os mercados latinos em investimentos de longo prazo.
Labor Promotes Neonatal Neutrophil Survival and Lipopolysaccharide Responsiveness

Labor is a mild proinflammatory state that is associated with fetal leukocytosis. Elective cesarean section has been linked with increased neonatal morbidity, which may be partially immune mediated. We hypothesized that labor may alter neutrophil phenotype and thereby decrease neonatal complications. We characterized neutrophil function and survival in normal neonates after either uncomplicated vaginal delivery (VD) or elective cesarean section (CS) without labor. Spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis is delayed in cord blood neutrophils of neonates after normal labor (VD) compared with CS, as assessed by propidium iodide DNA incorporation using flow cytometry. This demonstrates their ability to maintain an inflammatory response. CD11b expression on neonatal neutrophils after CS is decreased, providing further evidence of altered activation or priming. Lipopolysaccharide responsiveness, characterized by CD11b and apoptosis, is similar in VD and adults, but CS-derived neutrophils are unresponsive. Baseline TLR-4 levels are elevated in CS in contrast to the other groups, although expression is not up-regulated by lipopolysaccharide co-incubation. Neonatal neutrophil survival and function are altered by labor and may increase antibacterial function and neutrophilia. This suggests that labor of any duration may be immunologically beneficial to the normal term neonate.
Impact of Temperature Variations on the Device and Circuit Performance of Tunnel FET: A Simulation Study

The paper presents a comprehensive comparison study of p-i-n and p-n-p-n tunnel field-effect transistor (TFET) architectures and the impact of temperature on their dc and circuit performance. The impact of a hetero-gate (HG) dielectric on the circuit performance also forms the part of the study. The device performance of p-i-n and p-n-p-n TFET with high-k dielectric and HG dielectric and the effect of temperature on the drain current characteristics, Ion/Ioff, and threshold voltage has been investigated and compared with MOSFET. Furthermore, the variations in the inverter (n-TFET with resistive load) transient characteristics and the fall delay due to temperature variations are studied using mixed mode simulations carried out with ATLAS device simulation software. Results reveal that TFET exhibits weak temperature dependence when the current conduction is band-to-band tunneling dominated, while the temperature dependence increases in the off-state regime, and the fall delay of resistive load n-TFET inverter decreases with increasing temperature.
HUMAN EXPOSURE TO VOLATILE ORGANIC POLLUTANTS: Implications for Indoor Air Studies ⁄

▪ Abstract Over the past 20 years, a new scientific discipline based on direct measurement of human exposure to environmental pollutants has developed. The fundamental principle of the new science is to “measure where the people are. ” This has required developing small, lightweight, quiet personal monitors for volatile organic compounds and other pollutants. A second principle has been to measure body burden, particularly exhaled breath, whenever possible to determine the relationship between exposure and dose. Studies employing the new monitors and breath measurements have overturned accepted ideas about the sources of most volatile organic pollutants. The main sources turn out surprisingly often to be small, close to the person, and completely unregulated. These findings should result in major changes in our approach to environmental regulation; however, powerful forces of resistance would need to be overcome.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a prospective audit of the impact of guidelines in two district general hospitals in the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVE:Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the accepted method for long-term enteral nutrition. Recent studies have suggested a higher mortality than was initially reported. The demands for gastrostomy insertion have risen, encompassing indications where the long-term outcomes are uncertain. We, therefore, constructed guidelines to try and improve the appropriateness of patient selection. Our aim was to prospectively assess the impact of guidelines for PEG insertion over a 1-yr period in a single center, Rotherham District General Hospital (hospital A) and compare against an adjacent center serving a similar population, Doncaster Royal Infirmary (hospital B) where guidelines had not been instituted.METHODS:Data were collected from June, 1998 to May, 1999. Indication for PEG was documented and survival analysis performed using the Kaplan-Meier survival method.RESULTS:The number of PEG insertions had been rising each year in both centers. After guidelines were introduced in hospital A, the number of procedures fell by 20, whereas in hospital B, the PEG insertion rate continued to rise (p = 0.02). There was a lower mortality observed in hospital A (at 1 month, 16%; at 3 months, 26%; at 6 months, 39%; and at 1 yr, 46%) than in hospital B (at 1 month, 26%; at 3 months, 44%; at 6 months, 58%; and at 1 yr, 68%), although this did not achieve statistical significance (log rank test, p = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS:This is the first study to prospectively assess the impact of guidelines and a proactive role in the decision for PEG insertion. Fewer procedures were performed, and there was a trend toward a reduction in mortality.
A conceptual framework for developing‐country transnationals: PROTON Malaysia

In this article, we offer guidance for the potential advance of developing-country transnational corporations (TNCs), often referred to as third-world multinational corporations. After reviewing the topical literature and establishing the soundness of the case approach for model construction, we examine the case of Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Berhad (PROTON), the Malaysian National Car project. We find insights emanating from the experiences of this firm that are applicable to other developing transnationals, particularly those involved in complex manufacturing. Based upon the theoretical foundation of the literature, in conjunction with the real-world successes, challenges, and failures of PROTON, we offer a conceptual framework for effective developing-country TNC emergence and, more important, eventual global competitiveness. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Approach to prolong the Lifetime and Enhancing Energy Efficiency of Wireless sensor Networks

: -The wireless sensor network is designed to install the smart network application or network for emergency solution, where human interaction is not possible. WSN consists of many sensors to monitor physical or environmental conditions, such as health state monitoring, military applications, temperature, sound, pressure, motion or pollutants and to cooperatively transfer the data through network to a central location. The main constraint of WSN are low power and minimum processing. The nodes in WSN have to self organize as per the users requirements to monitor environments. The sensor nodes are deployed in an unreachable location for particular mission, it is difficult to exchange or recharge the nodes battery. To increase the lifespan of Wireless Sensor Network, well-organized utilization of power is required. In this paper we introduce a new mechanism to increase life time of the sensor nodes in the network. The proposed work minimizes the length of the packet by processing the data at the node. Furthermore We emphasize on Node state switching mechanism which helps to increase the lifespan of WSN. The proposed method reduces the length of the packet by processing the data at the node itself using Delta Modulation. In the proposed method present data value is compared with the previous data value, and if present data value is greater than the previous data value, output is non zero i.e. 1 otherwise output is ‘0. ’ It reduces the size of packet and hence the energy consumption. Sensor represents two states i
A Structural Model of Depression Based on Interpersonal Relationships: The Mediating Role of Coping Strategies and Loneliness.

INTRODUCTION The present study was conducted with the aim of examining the structural model of interpersonal relationships and depression using coping strategies and loneliness as mediators. METHODS Using multistage random sampling, 301 high-school students were selected from Minudasht city, Iran. The participants were aksed to complete the Network of Relationships Inventory (NRI); the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (Lazarus and Folkman); the Children's Loneliness Scale (CLS); and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Structural equation modeling was used to examine the pattern of direct and indirect effects. RESULTS Findings of the present study show that the data are well fitted to the model. The indirect effect of the positive quality of relationships was significant on depression through loneliness. Moreover, the indirect effects of the negative quality of relationships on depression through loneliness and through emotion-focused coping strategies were statistically significant. Although the effect of loneliness and emotion-focused coping strategies on depression was significant, problem-focused coping strategies did not have a significant effect on depression. Additionally, the findings suggested that the indirect effect through loneliness on depression was stronger compared with the indirect effect through emotion-focused coping strategies. CONCLUSION The positive or negative quality of interpersonal relationships, loneliness, and emotion-focused coping strategy can significantly predict depression.
The double-edged sword of grant funding: a study of community-led climate change initiatives in remote rural Scotland

Community-led initiatives are commonly advocated as an effective way of encouraging individuals to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. Since 2008, the Scottish Government's climate challenge fund (CCF) has distributed over £50 million in grants to community-led, carbon-saving projects across the country. Drawing on participant observation within two CCF organisations in remote rural Scotland, this paper examines the assumption that the receipt of government funding is necessarily of overall benefit to community-led initiatives attempting to facilitate more sustainable communities in the long term. Observations indicate that funding can bring with it a number of significant complications to community-scale action as a result of: (i) misaligned output timeframes, (ii) administration demands, and (iii) local competition. It is concluded that the design of funding schemes can in fact hamper the full potential of grassroots initiatives to engender more sustainable lifestyles throughout the community.
Performance Implications of Ties to the Government and Soes: A Political Embeddedness Perspective

In many countries governments not only regulate business activities, but also become involved in the corporate governance of individual firms through ownership and board ties. While existing studies usually focus either on benefits of political connections or on costs of government influence, a political embeddedness perspective helps us consider both advantages and constraints associated with ties to the government. In particular, firms with direct ties to the government will experience significant costs associated with government officials' involvement in the corporate governance process. In contrast, firms with ties to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are connected to the government indirectly and thus, while getting access to state-owned resources, avoid costs associated with the government's interventions. This study compares the performance consequences of board and ownership ties to the government with the consequences of board and ownership ties to SOEs. I find that ties to SOEs are associated with higher profitability, while no significant differences are discovered for firms with direct ties to the government.
Analysts' Performance and the Accuracy of Corporate Earnings Forecasts

The most common security valuation technique employed today involves an expected future earnings figure which is capitalized at an appropriate rate (multiplier) to provide an expected future price for a security. As Francis puts it: "This true economic worth depends on the earnings prospects of the firm, in light of anticipated economic conditions. "' There has been growing concern by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the private investment community over the earnings forecasts which are the basis of these valuation models. Aside from the individual investor's own, forecasts are currently available from professional security analysts and from management. This research analyzes forecasts made by professional security analysts with two objectives: (1) to identify differences in forecasting ability among analysts, and (2) to evaluate the overall accuracy of analysts' forecasts. Previous research has not adequately evaluated forecasts made by professional analysts. Such an evaluation should definitely precede an SEC requirement of disclosure of earnings forecasts.2
Fabrication of functional nano-patterned surfaces by a combination of plasma processes and electron-beam lithography

This work presents a method for the fabrication of well defined chemically active nano-patterned surfaces. Electron-beam lithography has been combined with plasma-based processes in order to create sub-micron carboxylic functional areas over a non-bio-adhesive matrix. Characterization of the patterned surface by several surface analysis techniques reveals that this patterning technique is compatible with the plasma polymerization process in order to fabricate chemically active features with lateral size down to 300 nm. Moreover, experiments with a model protein (bovine serum albumin) on the patterned surfaces show preferential adhesion on the active region indicating the ability of this method for the design of biosensing platforms.