Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zinc Requirement for Stomatal Opening in Cauliflower

Zn deficiency induced increases in epicuticular wax deposits, lamina thickness, degree of succulence, water saturation deficit, diffusive resistance, and proline accumulation and decreases in carbonic anhydrase activity, water potential, stomatal aperture, and transpiration in the leaves of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var botrytis cv Pusa) plants. Restoration of Zn supply to the deficient plants increased stomatal aperture, transpiration, and carbonic anhydrase activity significantly within 2 h. However, leaf water potential in the Zn-deficient plants did not recover within 24 h after resupply of Zn. The guard cells in epidermal peels from the Zn-deficient leaves had less K+ than those from the controls. Stomatal aperture in the epidermal peels from Zn-deficient leaves was 64% less than in the controls when the epidermal strips were floated on 125 mM KCl. Supplementing the ambient medium 25 mM KCl with ZnCl2 enhanced stomatal aperture in both control and Zn-deficient peels, and the effect was significant in the latter. The observations indicate involvement of Zn in stomatal opening, possibly as a constituent of carbonic anhydrase needed for maintaining adequate [HCO3-] in the guard cells, and also as a factor affecting K+ uptake by the guard cells.
Global aspirations and strategising for world-class status: new form of politics in higher education governance in Hong Kong

In the era of globalisation, competition has also become global. In higher education, countries worldwide are attaching increasing importance to international ranking exercises and subscribing to the ‘world-class universities’ paradigm, complemented by various strategies to benchmark with leading universities in order to enhance the global competitiveness of their universities. This is particularly so in Asia as it emerges as the centre of fast-growing economies of the world. Against this wider global policy backdrop, this article reviews major policies introduced and strategies employed by the government and universities/higher education institutions of Hong Kong in the quest for world-class status. It critically examines the ‘politics of competition’ among institutions for both state and non-state resources, in recruiting and retaining global talent, and in internationalising their curricula in order to achieve their global aspirations. It also explores the intra-institutional ‘politics’ within institutions involving tensions between teaching and research, and among different discipline areas.
Asian Pacific-American Campaigns, Elections, and Elected Officials

Introduction: The Emerging Political Status of Asian-American Elected Officials Research on Asian-American elected officials is scarce, but Asian-American officeholders are not. The National Asian Pacific American Political Almanac (Lai and Nakanishi 2001) lists hundreds of Asian Americans who hold elected offices in national, state, and local governments, in addition to a number of appointed officials and judges. Furthermore, increasing numbers of Asian-American, political candidates run for national and state-level offices (Cho 2000a; Lien forthcoming), and there have been periodic Asian-American political movements (Wei 1993). Nevertheless, Asian-America political leadership and Asian-Americans' roles in campaigns have often been overlooked in the discussion of minority politics, in part due to the community's relatively young and largely foreign-born population (Brackman and Erie 1995).
Sustaining the Physical and Social Dimensions of Wilderness Tourism: The Perceptual Approach to Wilderness Management in New Zealand

The dynamics of the tourism industry are well illustrated by the case of New Zealand's tourism development over the last decade. The number of international tourists visiting New Zealand has doubled in the last ten years to approximately 1.5 million annual visitors. Associated with this growth has been a significant shift in patterns of tourist demand. No longer do most tourists simply comply with established tourist routes linking the high profile scenic attractions. Rather tourists have demonstrated a preference for more independent and dispersed patterns of travel, including an increase in demand for settings that offer subjective qualities of wilderness experience. This poses a complex but intriguing management challenge. If wilderness recreation involves pristine natural settings in the complete absence of facility development and visitor management, then these resources are more prone to degradation so than any other natural tourism resources. This paper suggests that an understanding of tourist per.
Interferon β protects against avascular osteonecrosis through interleukin 6 inhibition and silent information regulator transcript-1 upregulation

Synovitis of the affected joint is a common in avascular osteonecrosis (AVN). Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been reported in AVN, but the mechanism of this increase remains unclear. Silent information regulator transcript-1 (SIRT1), an NAD-dependent deacetylase, inhibits the release of inflammatory cytokines. Interferon β (IFN-β) has clear anti-inflammatory properties. We sought to investigate the effects of IFN-β treatment on AVN and to evaluate the specific signal pathway relating to IL-6 and SIRT1 affected during AVN. Using a dissection microscope, AVN was surgically induced in the distal femurs of mice. Exogenous IFN-β was administered to the model mice. The effects of exogenous IFN-β on AVN model mice were assessed using hematoxylin eosin and safranin-O staining, and bone resorption activity was measured using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and CD68 staining. Western blots, real-time RT-PCR, and immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate the production of SIRT1 and IL-6 in tissues. The RAW 264.7 cell line and bone marrow derived osteoclasts treated with exogenous IFN-β. Histological findings indicated well preserved trabecular bone and decreased osteoclast bone resorption activity in IFN-β treated mice compared with mice in the AVN group. Treatment with IFN-β increased SIRT1 expression and inhibited secretion of IL-6 in this AVN mouse model. IFN-β decreased IL-6 secretion by activating SIRT1 in the RAW 264.7 cell and bone marrow derived osteoclasts. Our work suggests that IFN-β could be used to treat AVN and that both SIRT1 and IL-6 are useful targets for treating patients with AVN.
A broadband hybrid GaN cascode low noise amplifier for WiMax applications

This paper presents a design of a 3.5 GHz GaN Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) using Microstrip interconnect technology on a gold plated PCB and using packaged commercial GaN-on-SiC HEMTs. Cascode configuration with inter-stage matching and independent biasing networks was used. The whole design was fully implemented using Microstrip except for the capacitors and was optimized to reduce the noise figure (NF) and improve the gain and stability. The LNA provided a gain of 13.5 dB with a noise figure (NF) less than 3dB from 2.9 to 3.7 GHz with power consumption 2.92W.
Lessons from the Carnegie and Best Practices Reports: A Look at the Street Law Program as a Model for Teaching Professional Skills

There has been much discussion over the impact the Carnegie Report and Best Practices Report have had and will continue to have on legal education. This article offers a unique way that law schools can meet some of the challenges of the reports. The reports focused, in part, on the academy's role in preparing students for practice. They concluded that law schools must devote more attention and resources to helping students develop the professional skills they will need in practice. The consensus was that the traditional case method of teaching is insufficient on its own to train students for practice. Thus, they recommended that law schools broaden the ways in which they teach their students to become lawyers by, for example, incorporating "settings and pedagogies different from those used in the teaching of legal analysis. " (Carnegie Report at 14). They suggested that law schools can unite "formal knowledge" and "the experience of practice" by also offering non-traditional curricular offerings, such as clinics, externships, simulations, and other like opportunities. (Carnegie Report at 12). The Street Law program, a course that allows students to teach a law-related education course to high school students in the community, uniquely incorporates many of the recommendations of the reports. Through their teaching, law students learn the practical applications of legal concepts and practice important lawyering skills. Using the Street Law program as an illustration, this article demonstrates how non-traditional course offerings can provide powerful professional development opportunities for students. Thus, the program serves as an excellent model for how law schools can integrate the teaching of knowledge, skills, and values into their curricula.
Quorum Sensing Is Not Required for Twitching Motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT It has been reported that mutations in the quorum-sensing genes lasI and rhlI in Pseudomonas aeruginosa result in, among many other things, loss of twitching motility (A. Glessner, R. S. Smith, B. H. Iglewski, and J. B. Robinson, J. Bacteriol. 181:1623-1629, 1999). We constructed knockouts of lasI and rhlI and the corresponding regulatory genes lasR and rhlR and found no effect on twitching motility. However, twitching-defective variants accumulated during culturing of lasI and rhlI mutants. Further analysis showed that the stable twitching-defective variants of lasI and rhlI mutants had arisen as a consequence of secondary mutations in vfr and algR, respectively, both of which encode key regulators affecting a variety of phenotypes, including twitching motility. In addition, when grown in shaking broth culture, lasI and rhlI mutants, but not the wild-type parent, also accumulated unstable variants that lacked both twitching motility and swimming motility and appeared to be identical in phenotype to the S1 and S2 variants that were recently reported to occur at high frequencies in P. aeruginosa strains grown as a biofilm or in static broth culture (E. Deziel, Y. Comeau, and R. Villemur, J. Bacteriol. 183:1195-1204, 2001). These results indicate that mutations in one regulatory system may create distortions that select during subsequent culturing for compensatory mutations in other regulatory genes within the cellular network. This problem may have compromised some past studies of regulatory hierarchies controlled by quorum sensing and of bacterial regulatory systems in general.
Pengaruh Pertumbuhan Aset dan Tingkat Suku Bunga Sertifikat Bank Indonesia (SBI) Terhadap Kebijakan Dividen dan Nilai Perusahaan Pada Perusahaan Manufaktur di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI)

The establishment of a firm aimed to obtain maximum profit, the welfare of the owner of the firm or its shareholders and maximize the firm value. In order for the purpose of the firm can be achieved with the maximum, a firm needs to consider the variables that affect the firm value. This research conducted to determine the significance of the effect of asset growth and the interest rate of Bank Indonesia Certificates ( SBI ) on dividend policy and firm value. The study was conducted at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI). The sample was determined by purposive sampling method and obtained 11 companies that meet the criteria. The analysis technique used path analysis or path analysis. Based on the results of the analysis found that assets growth significant negative effect on dividend policybut has no effect on firm value, interest rate of Bank Indonesia Certificates (SBI) significant positive effect on dividend policy but significant negative effect on firm value, dividend policy significant positive effect on firm value. Keywords : firm value, assets growth, the SBI interest rate, dividend policy.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response in infection by intracellular parasites

Perturbations of the physiological status of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) trigger a specific response known as the ER stress response or unfolded protein response (UPR). In mammalian cells, the UPR is mediated by three ER transmembrane proteins (IRE1, PERK and ATF6) which activate three signaling cascades to restore ER homeostasis. In recent years, a cross-talk between UPR, inflammatory and microbial sensing pathways has been elucidated. Pathogen infection can lead to UPR activation; moreover, several pathogens subvert the UPR to promote their survival and replication. While the UPR in viral and bacterial infection has been characterized, little is known about the role of UPR in intracellular parasite infection. Here, we review recent findings on UPR induction/modulation by intracellular parasites in host cells.
Parallelizing of digital signal processing with using GPU

In this paper we show the process of a class of algorithms parallelization which are used in digital signal processing. We present this approach on the instance of the popular LMS algorithm which is used in noise reduction, echo cancelation problems and digital signal processing in general. We propose an approach which uses a GPGPU technology. Parallel approach allows us decomposing the problem into a number of smaller ones, which can be computed faster. Obtained results, especially increase of speed and efficiency, show that the parallel method implemented on GPU is much more effective than other existing procedures and it can be used in the real-time systems.
Wideband Receiver for a Three-Dimensional Ranging LADAR System

A low-noise, high-gain, wide-linear-dynamic-range, wide-band receiver for a pulsed, direct, three-dimensional ranging LADAR system has been designed and implemented in a 0.13 μm CMOS technology. Specific design techniques, including gain control scheme to widen linear dynamic range, gain allocating between blocks and noise minimization to improve SNR, frequency response compensation to extend bandwidth and ensure system stability, and output voltage swing boosting, have been proposed to achieve challenging design goals with linear dynamic range of 1:1600, equivalent input-referred current noise of less than 5.6 pA/√Hz, high gain of 78 dBΩ, maximum output swing of at least 500 mV, bandwidth of at least 500 MHz, and low sensitivity to temperature variation over the range from -10°C to 60°C, in the presence of 2 pF photodiode parasitic capacitance.
Covered Calls Uncovered

Typical covered call strategies collect the equity and volatility risk premiums but also embed exposure to a naive equity reversal strategy that is uncompensated. This article presents a novel risk and performance attribution methodology that deconstructs the strategy into these three exposures. Historically, the equity exposure contributed most of the risk and return. The short volatility exposure realized a Sharpe ratio of nearly 1.0 but contributed only 10% of the risk. The equity reversal exposure contributed approximately 25% of the risk but provided little return in exchange. The authors propose a risk-managed covered call strategy that eliminates the uncompensated equity reversal exposure. This modified covered call strategy has a superior Sharpe ratio, reduced volatility, and reduced downside equity beta.
Numerical techniques in finance

Numerical Techniques in Finance is an innovative book that shows how to create, and how to solve problems in a wide variety of complex financial models. All the models are set up using Lotus 1-2-3; some of the advanced models also make use of Lotus macros. Using the models set out in the book, students and practicing professionals will be able to enhance their evaluative and planning skills. Each of the models is preceded by an explanation of the underlying financial theory. Exercises are provided to help the reader utilize the models to create new individualized applications. Numerical Techniques in Finance covers standard financial models in the areas of corporate finance, financial statement simulation, portfolio problems, options, portfolio insurance, duration, and immunization. A separate section of the book reviews the relevant mathematical and Lotus 1-2-3 techniques. Each of the book's five parts begins with a succinct overview.
Decision tree learning for detecting turning points in business process orientation: a case of Croatian companies

Companies worldwide are embracing Business Process Orientation (BPO) in order to improve their overall performance. This paper presents research results on key turning points in BPO maturity implementation efforts. A key turning point is defined as a component of business process maturity that leads to the establishment and expansion of other factors that move the organization to the next maturity level. Over the past few years, different methodologies for analyzing maturity state of BPO have been developed. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of using data mining methods in detecting key turning points in BPO. Based on survey results obtained in 2013, the selected data mining technique of classification and regression trees (C&RT) was used to detect key turning points in Croatian companies. These findings present invaluable guidelines for any business that strives to achieve more efficient business processes.
Antithymocyte globulin for prevention of graft-versus-host disease

Purpose of reviewThis review aims to discuss current clinical trial using antithymocyte globulin in the context of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Published papers, as well as abstracts from European and American meetings, have been used together with original data. Recent findingsThe review shows that antithymocyte globulin is used frequently in Europe in the setting of unrelated or family mismatched donor transplants. This may not be the case for American centers, reluctant to introduce antithymocyte globulin possibly due to known side effects such as prolonged immune deficiency and increased incidence of infections, including life threatening Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorders. Results from few randomized trials show that antithymocyte globulin reduces acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, and this is in keeping with results from retrospective analysis on large number of patients. SummarySeveral issues remain open, such as optimal dose, optimal timing with respect to infusion of stem cells and whether the commercially available agents have comparable effects. Prospective trials are needed to answer these important questions.
Estimated One-Year Glomerular Filtration Rate is the Best Predictor of Long-term Graft Function Following Renal Transplant

Background. Long-term success of renal transplantation depends upon the quality of the donor organ, avoidance of peritransplant and early posttransplant damage (rejection), and optimal maintenance of graft function after the first 6–12 months. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at 1 year is a standard way to evaluate short-term success, whereas calculated GFR at 5 years gives a better appreciation of long-term outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of various demographic and transplant-related parameters on renal function via GFR at 1 year and 5 years post transplantation, using univariate and multivariate data analysis. Methods. Data on 1-year GFR were available from 10,397 patients, whereas 2,889 patients provided data on both 1-year and 5-year GFR. All patients were enrolled in the Neoral Multinational Observational Study in Transplantation (Neoral-MOST), an ongoing, prospective, observational study of adult renal transplant recipients. Results. One-year GFR was the most relevant predictor for 5-year GFR. In a multifactorial analysis (ANCOVA) using 1-year GFR as a continuous variable, the effects of several highly relevant parameters from univariate analysis (such as acute rejection and delayed graft function) on 5-year GFR appeared to be fully mediated by their influence on 1-year GFR, whereas immunological risk factors like HLA match or previous transplantation had an ongoing effect on graft function beyond year 1. Conclusions. The findings of this study corroborate and augment data from previous registry surveys, and confirm the importance of observational studies in investigating the role of peritransplant parameters on long-term graft outcome.
Efficient Energy Investment and Fiscal Adjustment in Senegal

Senegal's fiscal deficit and public debt have been on the rise in recent years owing partly to an ailing and inefficient oil-based energy sector. In this paper we use a two-sector, open-economy, dynamic general equilibrium model to investigate the effects of varying fiscal policy instruments one at a time and of policy packages that increase public investment in energy and infrastructure in scenarios with varying degrees of debt finance and with different types of supporting fiscal adjustment. Lowering the fiscal deficit by raising taxes and cutting government expenditure has adverse effects on growth, real wages and the supply of public services. Senegal does not need, however, to undertake such difficult fiscal adjustment. A public investment program that coordinates new investment in low-cost hydroelectric, coal or gas-fired power with a phased contraction of the oil-based sector raises the total supply of energy by 70 percent, increases real wages and real GDP, stimulates private investment, and significantly reduces the fiscal deficit in the medium long term. More aggressive investment programs borrow against future fiscal gains to combine new energy investments with either delayed or frontloaded investments in non-energy infrastructure. These programs lead to much higher real wages and real GDP while keeping public debt sustainable and the fiscal deficit low in the medium and long term.
Does TQM Impact on Bottom‐line Results?

The US General Accounts Office (GAO) study is, arguably, the first Western attempt at linking TQM and bottom‐line results. The study focused on the top 20 scorers of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) in the period of 1988‐89. Following the findings of the GAO study, the Bradford study was conducted in order to establish whether similar patterns of behaviour were emerging within European companies which are pioneering TQM and trying to enhance competitiveness. The information used for this analysis was focused on “hard” bottom‐line business indicators. The performance indicators chosen reflect business performance both in the short term and the long term. They include both “softer” or people‐related measures, such as employee trends and remuneration, and “hard” measures such as those which are efficiency‐driven. The sample of 29 companies studied was chosen on the basis of good knowledge of their TQM programmes. The analysis was conducted over a five‐year span, since it was assumed that t.