Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wearable Human Activity Recognition by Electrocardiograph and Accelerometer

This paper proposes a human activity estimation system using a wearable multi-sensor with a built-in electrocardiograph and triaxial accelerometers. The multi-sensor unconstraintly measures biological information, and provides these data to personal computer by wireless communication. We estimate human activity in a series of activities by the biological information. In our experiment, the subjects have several activities such as "Walking", "Rest" and "Strength training". The system estimates these activities by a decision tree. Branch conditions of the decision tree are aided by fuzzy logic and state of activity transition from previous activity. Fuzzy membership functions are constructed from exercise intensity, distinction frequency and transitional probability. As the results, the proposed method estimated activities with good accuracy.
Product design strategies amongst small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms: implications for export planning and regional economic development

This paper examines the role of product design in the export performance of small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMFs) in New York State. Survey data from a sample of 99 exportoriented SMFs in the medical and dental equipment sectors reveal that commercial success is strongest amongst SMFs that design their products with a view toward serving international rather than domestic markets. An international design orientation is found tb correlate positively with a variety of performance and organizational attributes, including rates of new product development, export intensity, and recourse to external sources of scientific, technical and market information. The implications of the survey results for regional economic development are discussed, notably with regard to policy options for improving the innovation performance and international orientation of New York State SMFs.
Ultrasonic imaging of seismic physical models using fiber Bragg grating Fabry-Perot probe

A fiber-optic sensor has been proposed and demonstrated for the ultrasonic wave (UW) imaging of seismic physical models. The sensor probe comprises a fiber Bragg grating Fabry-Perot (FBG-FP) mounted inside the tip of an aluminum cone focusing the UW into the fiber. The FBG-FP probe possesses an excellent UW sensitivity because of the narrow-band notches on the top of the reflection spectrum caused by the Fabry-Perot (FP) interference. Because of the symmetrical structure of the sensor, it provides a directional UW detection with a high signal-to-noise ratio. As expected, the two-dimensional (2D) images of two physical models are reconstructed.
Identification of HLA-A2-restricted CTL epitope encoded by the MAGE-n gene of human hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Identification of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) restricted epitopes of tumor antigens opens up possibilities of developing a new cancer vaccine. For the MAGE-n has been demonstrated closely associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and HLA-A2.1 is found in over 50% of HCC patients in China, we aim at identifying MAGE-n-encoded peptide presented by HLA-A2.1. Methods: A HLA-A2.1-restricted CTL epitope was identified by using an improved “reverse immunology” strategy: (a) computer-based epitope prediction from the amino acid sequence of MAGE-n antigen; (b) peptide-binding assay to determine the affinity of the predicted peptide with HLA-A2.1 molecule; (c) stimulation of primary T-cell response against the predicted peptides in vitro; and (d) testing of the induced CTLs toward HCC cells expressing MAGE-n antigen and HLA-A2.1. Results: Of the five tested peptides, effectors induced by a peptide of MAGE-n at residue position 159-167(QLVFGIEVV) lysed HCC cells expressing both MAGE-n and HLA-A2.1. Our results indicated that peptide QLVFGIEVV was a new HLA-A2.1-restricted CTL epitope capable of inducing MAGE-n specific CTLs in vitro. Conclusions: Identification of the MAGE-n /HLA-A2.1 peptide QLVFGIEVV may facilitate peptide-based specific immunotherapy for HCC. The combination of epitope prediction, epitope reconstruction method and immunological methods can improve the efficiency and accuracy of CTL epitope studies.
Understanding the bear: A portrait of Russian business leaders

Executive Overview A new entrant has abruptly and dramatically appeared on the international business scene. Hibernating for most of this century in a long winter's sleep induced by the communist regime, the Russian bear has awakened and is now dancing to the beat of capitalism. The bear is looking for a willing Western partner, and many North Americans are eager to be asked for a dance. With the hope that they will have a smooth pas de deux and avoid stepping on each other's toes, what follows is a portrait of their potential Russian partners, including their leadership traits in three eras: traditional Russian society, the communist regime, and the developing market economy.
Effect of ethanol metabolism on redox state of steroid sulphates in man.

Ethanol intake has been shown to cause a rapid increase of the concentration of androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol 3-sulphate and a simultaneous decrease of the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in plasma. The ratio between the 17β-hydroxysteroid and the 17-ketosteroid increased with the ethanol concentration up to 30–50 mg ethanol/100 ml blood when a 6 to 10-fold increase was obtained. The ratios between the 3-sulphates of 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol and androsterone and between the monosulphates of 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol and 3β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one also increased during ethanol metabolism. Deuterium was rapidly incorporated into the D-ring of the three C19 steroid diols, reaching about 20 atom per cent excess 10 to 20 min after oral administration of 0.1 g [1-2H2]ethanol per kg body weight. The concentrations of steroids with a sulphate group at C-17 did not change and deuterium was not incorporated into these steroids or into the 17-ketosteroid sulphates. The ratio between the 3-sulphates of 5-pregnene-3β,20α-diol and pregnenolone increased only slightly and incorporation of deuterium into the side chain of the C21 diol reached a maximum of about 4 atom per cent excess about 1 hour after the ethanol administration. The results indicate that the ratio between 3-sulphates of 17β-hydroxysteroids and the corresponding 17-ketosteroids in plasma is determined by the NADH/NAD+ ratio in the liver cell cytoplasm. They also indicate that the 3-sulphate of 5-pregnene-3β,20α-diol is not formed from pregnenolone sulphate at the same site or with the use of the same coenzyme molecules as the 17β-hydroxysteroids.
Molecular inflammation hypothesis of aging based on the anti‐aging mechanism of calorie restriction

Accumulating evidence strongly suggests that oxidative stress underlies aging processes. Research provides consistent evidence that calorie restriction (CR) reduces age‐related oxidative stress and has anti‐inflammatory properties. However, information is lacking on the molecular mechanism that would better define the interrelation of reactive oxygen species and nitrogen species and the pro‐inflammatory states of the aging process. In this review, the biochemical and molecular bases of the inflammatory process in the aging process are analyzed to delineate the molecular inflammation hypothesis of aging. The key players involved in the proposed hypothesis are the age‐related upregulation of NF‐κB, IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNFα, cyclooxygenase‐2, and inducible NO synthase, all of which are attenuated by CR. Furthermore, age‐related NFκB activation is associated with phosphorylation by IκB kinase/NIK and MAPKs, while CR blocked these activation processes. The modulation of these factors provides molecular insights of the anti‐inflammatory action of CR in relation to the aging process. Based on available finding and our recent supporting evidence, we prefer to use “molecular inflammation” to emphasize the importance of the molecular reaction mechanisms and their aberrance, predisposing to fully expressed chronic inflammatory phenomena. It was further proposed that CR's major force of the regulation of redox‐sensitive inflammation may well be its life‐prolonging action. Microsc. Res. Tech. 59:264–272, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The cytoskeletal lattice of the neurohypophysial cells

The cytoskeleton of rat neurohypophysial cells as seen in resinless sections is an irregular three‐dimensional lattice of short strands of cytoplasmic matrix (the microtrabeculae) that interconnect parallel arrays of neurotubules, neurofilaments, abundant neurosecretory granules, and other membrane‐bound organelles including the plasma membrane. This morphological finding suggests that the cytoplasmic ground substance constitutes a cytoskeletal continuum that may be the ultrastructural expression of a motile apparatus responsible for neurosecretory granule movement and hormone release in the neurohypophysis.
This is a repository copy of Application of Decaying Boundary Layer and Switching Function Method Thorough Error Feedback for Sliding Mode Control on Spacecraft ’ s Attitude

Effective operation of small spacecraft implies processors with low cost, energy efficiency and low computational burdens while retaining accurate output tracking. This paper presents the extension of work in [1] on eliminating the chattering for Sliding Mode Control (SMC) using a decaying boundary layer design which is able to achieve these small spacecraft operation needs. The extension is applied on a spacecraft’s attitude control, while orbiting the earth with angular velocity, ω0. In SMC, chattering is a main drawback as it can cause wear and tear to moving mechanical parts. Earlier work on a decaying boundary layer design was capable of reducing the chattering phenomena for a limited time only and hence this paper proposes a novel decaying boundary layer and switching function to improve the earlier version. The proposed technique is shown to reduce chattering permanently and also retain control output accuracy.
Regulating Work: Measuring the Scope and Burden of Occupational Licensure Among Low‐ and Moderate‐Income Occupations in the United States

This study examines the scope and burden of occupational licensing laws in the United States for 102 low- and moderate-income occupations. Findings indicate that the licences studied require of aspiring workers, on average, $US209 in fees, one exam, and about nine months of education and training, plus minimum grade and age levels. Data also indicate striking disparities in requirements within and between occupations and within and between states. These inconsistencies likely reflect not the relative public health and safety risks of occupations, but instead the lobbying prowess of practitioners in securing laws to shut out competition.
Who Uses Financial Reports and for What Purpose? Evidence from Capital Providers

Abstract We review the academic literature on the use of financial reporting information by capital providers. We classify our findings by investor type and by information objective. While most capital providers use accounting information, our survey indicates that they do so in a variety of ways with financial reporting information competing with other sources of information. We also find that information intermediaries are influential in both credit and equity markets, making the identification of a typical target ‘user’ inherently difficult. Our main findings question the underlying objective of the Conceptual Framework to guide the development of standards for general-purpose financial statements to provide a typical knowledgeable investor with a true and fair view about the reporting entity. Finally, we identify gaps in the literature and suggest areas where future research can help inform important academic and policy debates.
Quality improvement initiative: enhanced communication of newly identified, suspected GI malignancies with direct critical results messaging to surgical specialist

Purpose To improve timely evaluation and management of newly identified, suspected, gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies discovered on radiologic imaging at a safety-net hospital through direct critical results messaging to surgical specialists. Materials and Methods To address delays in evaluating patients for suspected GI malignancies identified on imaging, an enhanced workflow was created--electronically routed critical results messaging to the ordering provider was supplemented with parallel messaging to the surgical oncology clinic. Messaging data obtained for 10 months pre and post intervention were compared. Using chart reviews, time intervals were recorded to assess the impact on (1) being seen by a specialist, (2) completing a diagnostic workup and (3) initiating definitive management. Results Significant improvements were achieved: (1) patients seen by a specialist increased from 45.9% to 98.0% (p<0.001), with median time decreasing from 35 to 7 days (p<0.001); (2) patients completing a diagnostic workup increased from 77.1% to 93.9% (p<0.05), with median time decreasing from 44 to 18 days (p<0.001); (3) patients with initiation of definitive management increased from 72.1% to 89.8% (p<0.05), with median time decreasing from 62 to 35 days (p<0.05). Further study is needed to assess impact on fragmentation of care and financial implications. Conclusions Direct critical results messaging from the radiologist to the surgical oncologist at a safety-net hospital significantly improves the time to complete a diagnostic workup and initiate definitive management with significantly more patients being seen by a relevant specialist.
Seeking efficiency through productisation: a case study of small KIBS participating in a productisation project

This paper discusses productisation in small knowledge-intensive business service companies (KIBS), whose typical problem is the inefficient production of services, starting from scratch for each client. The paper reviews literature on different approaches to developing services more ‘product-like’. It points out specific challenges linked to productisation of knowledge offerings and services that are co-produced with the customer. The case study examined a productisation project in which four KIBS productised one of their services with the help of a consultant. The results indicate that productisation contributes to the competitiveness and efficiency, and facilitates the development of customer understanding and business skills. An externally supported project is a good way to promote productisation in small KIBS where scarce resources often delay the adoption of this practice.
The chemistry of the phosphoinositides.

The name of inositol phosphatides or phosphoinositides is given to a rather heterogeneous group of substances having in common the presence of inositol, phosphoric acid, and fatty acid(s) among their constituents. The first evidence of their natural occurrence was obtained by Anderson, in 1930, who showed their presence in the lipides of the tubercle bacillus. Since then they have been found in many animal and vegetable tissues, and some of them have been isolated as relatively pure compounds. The majority, if not all of them, are acidic substances which, when prepared by the use of neutral solvents, are obtained as monophosphates of inorganic bases. The constituent inositol is present as a monoester of phosphoric acid, except in the case of brain diphosphoinositide, where it occurs as inositol metadiphosphate. With one possible exception, phosphoinositides contain 1 mole of glycerol per mole of inositol; less commonly, they contain carbohydrates and amines. While valuable information has been obtained on.
The Value of Shelf Registration for New Debt Issues

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 415 (shelf registration) allows eligible firms to register securities that they intend to issue in the next two years. Once the registration is declared effective, firms can enter the market instantaneously. Ineligible issuers, however, are required to notify the SEC at least forty-eight hours before entry. Supporters of the shelf rule contend that the rule provides valuable flexibility in timing issues. The authors examine this contention by comparing the market-timing performance of shelf and nonshelf debt issues. The results indicate that the shelf rule does provide valuable market-timing flexibility. Copyright 1989 by the University of Chicago.
Gender aspects of smallholder private groundwater irrigation in Ghana and Zambia

This paper explores gender aspects of smallholders’ private technology adoption for groundwater irrigation in Ghana and Zambia. It focuses on two variables of quantitative farm-household surveys: household headship and gendered plot management. The paper compares adoption rates and types of technologies for female- and male-headed households; examines adoption rates when women have their own plots; and compares women’s decision making on irrigated plots and rainfed plots. The findings suggest that there are largely untapped synergies between gender-equality and irrigation-policy goals. Systematic gender differentiation in surveys is recommended.
The absorption of n-hexadecane from the alimentary tract of the cat.

IN continuance of previous studies of factors affecting the nature and amount of the unsaponifiable fractions of liver, it was shown that n-hexadecane is absorbed from the alimentary tract of the rat to the extent of 50 to 108 mg. daily, depending on the quantity of hydrocarbon included in the diet [Mahdi and Channon, 1933]. This result is of interest in relation to fat absorption, because it is opposed to current ideas that absorption of paraffinoid substances does not occur. A point of further importance arose in the course of this work. In one experiment, of 149 g. of hexadecane administered, only 116 g. were excreted, and of the 33 g. of hexadecane unaccounted for no more than an insignificant trace, if any, was present in the liver, whilst the unsaponifiable fraction of the carcass contained at most 1-85 g. of the hydrocarbon. The suggestion contained in this result of the ability of the rat to metabolise a normal hydrocarbon together with the surprising fact that the hydrocarbon failed to appear in the liver but did apparently find its way to the tissues, led us to investigate the matter further. Our first object was to confirm and extend these results by use ofan animal which would provide more material for investigation, and also to study the distribution ofthe hydrocarbon in the tissues by its isolation in chemically pure form. EXPERIMENTAL.
Determinants of the Labour Force Status of Female Carers

In Australia, as in other countries, people who have significant responsibilities for caring for a person with a disability or long-term health problem have lower employment rates than those without caring responsibilities. This paper uses data from the 2006 Families Caring for a Person with a Disability Survey to estimate the determinants of the labour force status of carers. While carers do have relatively low employment rates, over half of the carers who are not employed say they would like to be in paid employment. The major factors that are associated with lower rates of employment for female carers were having a low level of educational attainment, poor health of the carer, providing full-time care, caring for a child with a disability and not having people outside the household to provide support.
Stress-related antecedents of teacher performance: case of the Indian educational system

This paper presents an examination of key stress antecedents of teacher performance in India. A review of literature of key constructs of stress is made with the aim of developing relevant hypotheses for home, work and health stressors. The impact of these three stressors on teacher performance is studied. Results with respect to instrument validation as well as testing of hypotheses are presented, followed by a discussion of underlying factors for the results. Finally, this paper concludes with a discussion of findings of questionnaire development and hypotheses testing in the light of implications for practicing managers of the educational system.
Identification of mortality-related predictive factors in hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke

Objective: This prospective study was planned to study the prognostic value of time to presentation to the hospital, clinical scales and examination, hematological and biochemical parameters as predictive factors of mortality in ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: In this study, 188 consecutive patients of ischemic stroke were included. The patients were subjected to relevant history taking, clinical evaluation, blood investigations (total leukocyte count [TLC], capillary blood sugar, potassium, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), troponin I (Trop I)), electrocardiogram (ECG) and neuroimaging. The patients were followed up till their final outcome in the hospital, and patients who expired were grouped as ′Mortality Group′ and the rest as ′Discharged Group′. Logistic regression analysis was carried out among the significant parameters to identify independent predictors of mortality in cases of ischemic stroke. Results: After statistical analysis, it was found that late presentation to the hospital, pyrexia (temperature >99°F), low diastolic blood pressure at the time of admission, hypoxia (saturation of oxygen [sPo2] <94%), National Institute of Health Science scale (NIHSS) score >15, modified Rankin score (MRS) greater than 3, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) less than 8, hyperglycemia (random blood sugar >200 mg/dL), raised total leukocyte count and hs-CRP (>10 mg/L), are positive predictive factors of mortality in cases of ischemic stroke. Conclusion: Late presentation to the hospital, pyrexia (temperature >99°F), low diastolic blood pressure at the time of admission, hypoxia (sPo2 <94%), more severe stroke (NIHSS score >15, MRS >3, GCS <8), high TLC estimated at the time of hospitalization, are the most important predictive prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality in cases of ischemic stroke.
Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes With Combined Therapy

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive syndrome that evolves toward complete insulin deficiency during the patient's life. A stepwise approach for its treatment should be tailored according to the natural course of the disease, including adding insulin when hypoglycemic oral agent failure occurs. Treatment with insulin alone should eventually be considered in a relevant number of cases. Experience has shown the protective effects of insulin on β-cell survival and function, resulting in more stable metabolic control. On the contrary, treatment with most insulin secretagogues has been associated with increased β-cell apoptosis, reduced responsiveness to high glucose, and impairment of myocardial function during ischemic conditions. In addition, macrovascular complications are associated with postprandial hyperglycemia, indicating the need for tight glycemic control. Insulin treatment, especially with rapid-acting analogs, has been demonstrated to successfully control postprandial glucose excursions. Finally, a reason for concern with regard to combined therapy is represented by the evidence that polipharmacy reduces compliance to the treatment regimen. This can be particularly relevant in patients with type 2 diabetes usually taking drugs for complications and for concomitant diseases with consequent deterioration not only of metabolic control but also of other conditions. In conclusion, therapy with insulin alone immediately after hypoglycemic oral agent failure may be a useful and safe therapeutic approach in type 2 diabetes.