Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental development of a foot mechanism with shock absorbing material for acquisition of landing surface position information and stabilization of dynamic biped walking

As the first stage of dynamic biped walking adapting to an unknown uneven surface using an anthropomorphic biped walking robot, this paper introduces a special foot mechanism with shock-absorbing material that stabilizes dynamic biped walking and acquires position information on the landing surface. The new foot has three functions: (1) a function to obtain information on the position relative to a landing surface; (2) a function to absorb the shock of the foot landing; and (3) a function to stabilize changes in the support leg. Two units of the foot mechanism were produced, a biped walking robot WL-12RVI that had the foot mechanism installed inside it was developed and a walking experiment with WL-12RVI was performed. As a result, decreased vibration around the pitch axis, decreased torque demands on ankle actuators on the pitch axis, increased dynamic biped walking success probability, and acquired landing surface information were achieved.
Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus With Particulated Juvenile Cartilage

Background: Numerous modalities are used today to treat symptomatic osteochondral lesions in the ankle. However, there are ongoing challenges with the treatment of certain lesions, and concerns exist regarding long-term effectiveness. Methods: The purpose of the study was to collect clinical outcomes of pain and function in retrospectively and prospectively enrolled patients treated with particulated juvenile cartilage for symptomatic osteochondral lesions in the ankle. This study collected outcomes and incidence of reoperations in standard clinic patients. The analysis presented here includes final follow-up to date for 12 males and 11 females representing 24 ankles. Subjects had an average age at surgery of 35.0 years and an average body mass index of 28 ± 5.8. Fourteen ankles had failed at least 1 prior bone marrow stimulation procedure. The average lesion size was 125 ± 75 mm2, and the average depth was 7 ± 5 mm. In conjunction with the treatment, 9 (38%) ankles had 1 concomitant procedure and 9 (38%) had more than 1 concomitant procedure. Clinical evaluations were performed with an average follow-up of 16.2 months. Results: Average outcome scores at final follow-up were American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale 85 ± 18 with 18 (78%) ankles demonstrating good to excellent scores, Short-Form 12 Health Survey (SF12) physical composite score 46 ± 10, SF12 mental health composite score 55 ± 7.1, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) activities of daily living 82 ± 14, FAAM Sports 63 ± 27, and 100-mm visual analog scale for pain 24 ± 25. Outcomes data divided by lesion size demonstrated 92% (12/13) good to excellent results in lesions 10 mm or larger and those smaller than 15 mm. To date, 1 partial graft delamination has been reported at 16 months. Conclusions: Preliminary data from a challenging clinical population with large, symptomatic osteochondral lesions in the ankle suggest that treatment with particulated juvenile cartilage could improve function and decrease pain. Longer follow-up and additional subjects are needed to evaluate improvement level and ideal patient indications. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
A New Class of Bifunctional Major Histocompatibility Class I Antibody Fusion Molecules to Redirect CD8 T Cells

Bifunctional antibody fusion proteins engaging effector T cells for targeted elimination of tumor cells via CD3 binding have shown efficacy in both preclinical and clinical studies. Different from such a polyclonal T-cell recruitment, an alternative concept is to engage only antigen-specific T-cell subsets. Recruitment of specific subsets of T cells may be as potent but potentially lead to fewer side effects. Tumor-targeted peptide–MHC class I complexes (pMHCI-IgGs) bearing known antigenic peptides complexed with MHC class I molecules mark tumor cells as antigenic and utilize the physiologic way to interact with and activate T-cell receptors. If, for example, virus-specific CD8+ T cells are addressed, the associated strong antigenicity and tight immune surveillance of the effector cells could lead to efficacious antitumor treatment in various tissues. However, peptide–MHC class I fusions are difficult to express recombinantly, especially when fused to entire antibody molecules. Consequently, current formats are largely limited to small antibody fragment fusions expressed in bacteria followed by refolding or chemical conjugation. Here, we describe a new molecular format bearing a single pMHCI complex per IgG fusion molecule characterized by enhanced stability and expression yields. This molecular format can be expressed in a full immunoglobulin format and can be designed as mono- or bivalent antibody binders. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(9); 2130–42. ©2016 AACR.
Back to the future of organizational work: crowdsourcing and digital work marketplaces

Businesses increasingly accomplish work through innovative sourcing models that leverage the crowd. As a new way of distributing work across units within an organization and as a form of outsourcing work beyond organizational boundaries, crowdwork is inherently disruptive. Crowdwork raises a number of questions about its implications to the future of organizational work, including reconfigurations to the very nature of work, consideration of the opportunities and threats to both organizational forms and worker status, and about the systems that underlie and are meant to support crowdwork. There is a need for a clear research agenda to address these challenges and to inform the design of solutions for crowdwork as it integrates with other forms of organizational work.
Long‐term efficacy and safety of alfuzosin 10 mg once daily: a 2‐year experience in ‘real‐life’ practice

To assess the 2‐year efficacy and safety of alfuzosin 10 mg once daily, a selective α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist, in men complaining of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), in ‘real life’ practice.
The Social Construction of Organizational Disintegration: Exploring Identity Dynamics and Restructuring through a Longitudinal Case Study of a Post-Socialist Enterprise

This article seeks to advance our understanding of organizational change by exploring the relationships between patterns of organizational restructuring and identity dynamics as they interrelate over time. Our arguments are set in the empirical context of post-socialist Central Europe and the data, derived from the longitudinal study of a former state-owned enterprise that has been visited many times from 1993 to 2011, tell the story of a process of vertical disintegration. The article contributes to the field by elaborating the dynamic effects of identity ambivalence and identity conflict on top management decision making and the consequent social construction of organizational change processes.
Characterization and quantification of γ-oryzanol in grains of 16 Korean rice varieties

Abstract γ-Oryzanol, a mixture of ferulic acid esters of triterpene alcohols and sterols, is a nutritionally important group of rice secondary metabolites. A library of 27 γ-oryzanol was assembled from existing data and used to assist identification and quantification of γ-oryzanol isolated from 16 Korean rice varieties (11 white and 5 pigmented). γ-Oryzanol was analyzed with liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Nineteen different γ-oryzanol were observed and identified as stigmasterol, campesterol and sitosterol or common and hydroxylated triterpene alcohols. In the 16 varieties, the total γ-oryzanol content averaged 43.8 mg/100 g (range, 26.7–61.6 mg/100 g), which Josaengheugchal exhibited the highest level (61.6 mg/100 g). The Korean rice varieties were classified based on qualitative and quantitative γ-oryzanol data by multivariate statistical analysis. Clusters of specialty rice varieties exhibited higher γ-oryzanol levels than those of common rice varieties.
Estimating the parameters of a household production function with joint products

By estimating the parameters of a production function whose inputs consist of family time and market goods, the authors offer some new microeconomic estimates of the value of production that takes place in the home and also examine the concept of joint production-that is, the degree to which time devoted to home production simultaneously serves as leisure. They find evidence of substantial jointness between home production time and leisure, the degree of which is greater for wives than for husbands; and that both husband and wife possess human capital skills more productive in market work than in home work.
Industry globalization and the performance of emerging market firms: Evidence from China

In this study, we explore the extent to which industry globalization affects the performance of firms in China, an emerging market. We focus on the period between 1996 and 2001 and track the globalization levels for six different Chinese industries as well as the performance of 166 public listed firms in these industries. The results validate our major premise: high levels of industry globalization positively impact the performance of Chinese firms. We also find that when their industries globalize, firms with slack resources experience greater performance improvement than other firms without these resources.
Bookbuilding: How Informative is the Order Book

When using a formal bookbuilding procedure, underwriters observe the demand curves of investors as stated in the ‘book’ prior to pricing shares in an equity issue. The purpose of this Paper is to examine whether the investment bank uses the information in the book when setting the issue price, and whether this information can help predict subsequent secondary aftermarket prices. We examine the details of the institutional bids for shares for a sample of 63 international equity issues. We find that the issue price is closely related to the limit prices submitted by bidders. The level of oversubscription has a smaller but significant effect. The price primarily reflects the information in the price contingent bids of certain bidder types, such as large bidders and frequent bidders. Aftermarket returns in IPOs are positively correlated with oversubscription and elasticity of the demand.
High-yield noninvasive human genomic DNA isolation method for genetic studies in geographically dispersed families and populations.

Human genomic DNA is commonly isolated from peripheral blood samples for genetic studies of families and populations. Blood sampling, however, is expensive and an invasive procedure to which, for ethical reasons, objections may be raised, especially in studies involving older individuals and babies. We have developed a new noninvasive DNA sampling and isolation method involving oral samples taken with cotton swabs. Participants can take mouth swabs themselves, and can send these by mail to the research center, where DNA can be isolated at least up to 3 wks after sampling. DNA isolation from 20 cotton swabs resulted in an average yield of 40{mu}g of high-molecular-weight DNA per individual, sufficient for complete genome searches with {approximately}800 polymorphic DNA markers when using PCR. Compared with blood sampling, which involves clinically trained personnel, this procedure is fast, less expensive, and suitable especially for DNA collection from geographically scattered subjects. 8 refs., 1 fig.
Best practice post-disaster housing and livelihood recovery interventions: winners and losers

A review of the recent post-disaster recovery interventions in developing countries shows convergent trends in policies and practices. The World Bank has been in a position to exert its influence on post-disaster housing and livelihood recovery interventions, which has resulted in converging policies and practices. This paper focuses on the nexus between housing and livelihood recovery after disasters, highlighting the importance of rethinking the existing sector-based disaster recovery interventions. Focusing on the case studies of the 2001 earthquake in Bhuj, Gujarat, and 2003 earthquake in Bam, Iran, and drawing on subsequent major disasters in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the article analyses a number of shortcomings in knowledge transfer on post-disaster housing and livelihood recovery. This knowledge transfer has rarely exposed and discussed the limitations of these policies, the gaps in knowledge concerning the impacts of these polices or the lessons learned about recurring problems arising from the int.
The monthly and trading month effects in Greek stock market returns: 1996‐2002

Purpose - The paper aims to investigate the monthly and trading month effects in the stock market returns of the ASE using daily data before and after the crisis of 1999-2001. In addition, the study seeks to consider data from both periods of the ASE, before and after the upgrade of the market (May 2001). Design/methodology/approach - This paper examines the calendar effects in the Greek stock market returns using an ordinary least squares (OLS) model. Daily closing prices of the General ASE Index, FTSE/ASE-20 and FTSE/ASE Mid 40 are used to calculate daily returns. The time period includes data from 26 November 1996 to 12 July 2002 for General ASE Index, 23 September 1997-30 August 2001 for FTSE/ASE-20 and 8 December 1999-30 August 2001 for FTSE/ASE Mid 40. Findings - The results show that there is no January effect. In other words, daily returns are not higher in January than in any other month. Moreover, the results for the trading month effect show higher (but not significant) returns over the first fortnight of the month. Practical implications - The results have important implications for both traders and investors. The findings are strongly recommended to financial managers dealing with Greek stock indices. Originality/value - The contribution of this paper is to provide evidence using data before and after the financial crisis of 1999-2001 in Greece.
Crystal structure of holo inorganic pyrophosphatase from Escherichia coli at 1.9 A resolution. Mechanism of hydrolysis.

Crystalline holo inorganic pyrophosphatase from Escherichia coli was grown in the presence of 250 mM MgCl2. The crystal structure has been solved by Patterson search techniques and refined to an R-factor of 17.6% at 1.9 A resolution. The upper estimate of the root-mean-square error in atomic positions is 0.26 A. These crystals belong to space group P3(2)21 with unit cell dimensions a = b = 110.27 A and c = 78.17 A. The asymmetric unit contains a trimer of subunits, i.e., half of the hexameric molecule. In the central cavity of the enzyme molecule, three Mg2+ ions, each shared by two subunits of the hexamer, are found. In the active sites of two crystallographically independent subunits, two Mg2+ ions are bound. The second active site Mg2+ ion is missing in the third subunit. A mechanism of catalysis is proposed whereby a water molecule activated by a Mg2+ ion and Tyr 55 play essential roles.
Prey Range Characterization, Ribotyping, and Diversity of Soil and Rhizosphere Bdellovibriospp. Isolated on Phytopathogenic Bacteria

ABSTRACT Thirty new Bdellovibrio strains were isolated from an agricultural soil and from the rhizosphere of plants grown in that soil. Using a combined molecular and culture-based approach, we found that the soil bdellovibrios included subpopulations of organisms that differed from rhizosphere bdellovibrios. Thirteen soil and seven common bean rhizosphere Bdellovibrio strains were isolated when Pseudomonas corrugata was used as prey; seven and two soil strains were isolated when Erwinia carotovora subsp.carotovora and Agrobacterium tumefaciens, respectively, were used as prey; and one tomato rhizosphere strain was isolated when A. tumefaciens was used as prey. In soil and in the rhizosphere, depending on the prey cells used, the concentrations of bdellovibrios were between 3 × 102 to 6 × 103 and 2.8 × 102 to 2.3 × 104 PFU g−1. A prey range analysis of five soil and rhizosphereBdellovibrio isolates performed with 22 substrate species, most of which were plant-pathogenic and plant growth-enhancing bacteria, revealed unique utilization patterns and differences between closely related prey cells. An approximately 830-bp fragment of the 16S rRNA genes of all of theBdellovibrio strains used was obtained by PCR amplification by using a Bdellovibrio-specific primer combination. Soil and common bean rhizosphere strains produced two and one restriction patterns for this PCR product, respectively. The 16S rRNA genes of three soil isolates and three root-associated isolates were sequenced. One soil isolate belonged to theBdellovibrio stolpii-Bdellovibrio starrii clade, while all of the other isolates clustered withBdellovibrio bacteriovorus and formed two distantly related, heterogeneous groups.
MEASURING AND MODELLING OF INDUSTRIAL DEMAND RESPONSE TO ALTERNATIVE PRICES OF THE ELECTRICITY

This paper presents a detailed analysis of industrial demand responses under time-of-use rates, seasonal time-of-day rates, and real time prices. The objectives are the comparison of the reviewed experiences and the extraction of conclusions that can be considered as a powerful tool in the new utility pricing procedures. The rates play a highlighted role in the Demand Side Management programs (DSM). From the point of view of the utility, the programs of DSM can provide economic benefits (reduction of capital costs, operation costs and losses) and improve the efficiency in the operation of the system if the load curve allows flexibility. From the consumer's point of view, getting into a program of DSM can reduce their electric bill, and it can provide him more possibilities for the control of their consumption, i.e., the consumer can obtain a service. Besides other strategies like the direct control of electric loads, the energy storage, or the improvement of the efficiency of the appliances, the price has also been used as a tool of demand side management as shown in this paper. As a consequence of the efforts to determine the success of these programs, measures of the impact of DSM in the industrial consumption have been carried out, and therefore measures of the variations in consumer's consumption habits. In this way, these studies become an interesting reference of the behaviour of the consumers before future applications of other strategies of prices, for example spot prices, in the new deregulated markets.
A study of peer-to-peer information in a domain of uncertainty: the case of epilepsy

As increasing amounts of complex health information become available via the Internet, providers frequently advise that it is important for health consumers to carefully consider the source of lay information, as well as discuss the clinical information they find with their healthcare provider. Beyond clinical indicators and standards, however, there exist few evaluative frameworks for assessing health information, especially within peer-to-peer networks. Traditional methods of analyzing online discussion content, such as keyword examination or network structure analysis, have proven largely unsatisfactory for unstructured health data analysis. Using a disease-specific illustration, this study proposes a theoretical framework that is broad enough to encompass a variety of poorly understood healthcare domains, and provides one example of an often misunderstood and ambiguous disease that lends itself to online patient-centered discussion, which can serve to supplement traditional clinical information exchange.
The Nitric Oxide-Donating Pravastatin Derivative, NCX 6550 [(1S-[1α(βS*, δS*), 2α, 6α, 8β-(R*), 8aα]]-1,2,6,7,8,8a-Hexahydro-β, δ, 6-trihydroxy-2-methyl-8-(2-methyl-1-oxobutoxy)-1-naphtalene-heptanoic Acid 4-(Nitrooxy)butyl Ester)], Reduces Splenocyte Adhesion and Reactive Oxygen Species Generation 

Statins possess anti-inflammatory effects that may contribute to their ability to slow atherogenesis, whereas nitric oxide (NO) also influences inflammatory cell adhesion. This study aimed to determine whether a novel NO-donating pravastatin derivative, NCX 6550 [(1S-[1α(βS*,δS*),2α,6α,8β-(R*),8aα]]-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-β,δ,6-trihydroxy-2-methyl-8-(2-methyl-1-oxobutoxy)-1-naphthalene-heptanoic acid 4-(nitrooxy)butyl ester)], has greater anti-inflammatory properties compared with pravastatin in normal and atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E receptor knockout (ApoE–/–) mice. C57BL/6 and ApoE–/– mice were administered pravastatin (40 mg/kg), NCX 6550 (48.5 mg/kg), or vehicle orally for 5 days. Ex vivo studies assessed splenocyte adhesion to arterial segments and splenocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. NCX 6550 significantly reduced splenocyte adhesion to artery segments in both C57BL/6 (8.8 ± 1.9% versus 16.6 ± 6.7% adhesion; P < 0.05) and ApoE–/– mice (9.3 ± 2.9% versus 23.4 ± 4.6% adhesion; P < 0.05) concomitant with an inhibition of endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression. NCX 6550 also significantly reduced phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced ROS production that was enhanced in isolated ApoE–/– splenocytes. Conversely, pravastatin had no significant effects on adhesion in normal or ApoE–/– mice but reduced the enhanced ROS production from ApoE–/– splenocytes. In separate groups of ApoE–/– mice, NCX 6550 significantly enhanced endothelium-dependent relaxation to carbachol in aortic segments precon-tracted with phenylephrine (–logEC50, 6.37 ± 0.37) compared with both vehicle-treated (–logEC50, 5.81 ± 0.15; P < 0.001) and pravastatin-treated (–logEC50, 5.57 ± 0.45; P < 0.05) mice. NCX 6550 also significantly reduced plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels (648.8 pg/ml) compared with both vehicle (1191.1 pg/ml; P < 0.001) and pravastatin (847 ± 71.0 pg/ml; P < 0.05) treatment. These data show that NCX 6550 exerts superior anti-inflammatory actions compared with pravastatin, possibly through NO-related mechanisms.
A farewell to the business: Championing exit and continuity in entrepreneurial family firms

What factors influence exit from the founder's business and subsequent entrepreneurial renewal in a generational family firm? Guided by this research question, we trace the development of the Italian Falck Group from its inception as a steel company in 1906 – ascension as the largest privately owned steel producer in Italy – losses in the 1970s and 1980s leading to business exit from steel industry in the 1990s – followed by successful entry in the renewable energy business. A combination of insights from the literature and triangulation of data from multiple primary and secondary sources leads to the development of a model describing how inhibitors of exit from the founder's business can be transformed into facilitators of change. The critical role of farsighted ‘family champion of continuity’ is found central in redirecting the family from its anchoring in past activities to focus on future entrepreneurial endeavours. While the commitment to the founder's business continues, the family champion aided by business savvy and astute non-family executives ably modifies its meaning of ‘continuity of the founder's business’ from ‘steel production’ to ‘continuity of the entrepreneurial spirit of the family’, hence preserving the institutional identity. Insights from this study can help generational family firms which plan to exit from a failing course of action to regenerate so as to create trans-generational value.