Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of somatic cell count and stage of lactation on raw milk composition and the yield and quality of Cheddar cheese

Summary The effects of somatic cell count and stage of lactation on the yield and quality of Cheddar cheese were investigated. Cheese was manufactured in a pilotscale factory using milk of low bulk milk cell count (BMCC) from herds in early (LE) and late (LL) lactation, and milk of high BMCC from herds in early (HE) and late (HL) lactation. The deleterious effect of an elevated BMCC on product yield and quality in late lactation was clear. Cheese made from LL milk was significantly superior to that made from HL milk for most yield and quality characteristics measured. Stage of lactation also affected cheese yield and quality, as evidenced by the lower recovery of fat and poorer flavour score for cheese from LL milk compared with that manufactured from LE milk. The observed differences could be explained largely by differences in raw milk composition. We conclude that the effect of stage of lactation was magnified by an elevated BMCC, and that many of the problems encountered when processing late season milk could be overcome by containing mastitis at this time.
Women in Family Businesses: Challenges and Opportunities

Women have particular qualities that can be vital to the survival and success of a family business. Those who work in and for family businesses need to be aware, however, of the dilemmas and conflicts that affect women. The author advocates the opening of more opportunities for women in family business for the benefit of both the woman and the business.
Service supply chain management: generalised and applied framework perspective

Despite service supply chain is emerging as a new research hot topic, the systematical theoretical framework of service supply chain management still remains unexplored. The intent of this research is to examine the research progress of service supply chain management, address some key problems of service supply chain management and propose new thinking and new ideas about service supply chain management research. Considering the feature of SSCM, a generalised conceptual framework model of service supply chain management (SSCM) based on multi-discipline theoretical perspective is first developed, The framework integrates service operations and service marketing activities, reflects the customer-oriented value creation based on four components (information flow, customer flow, cash flow and work flow) and four processes (service sourcing, service innovation and design, service network configuration and service delivery). Key activities of implementing SSCM derived from the framework model are discussed. As an application of the generalised framework, applied framework of tourism supply chain management (TSCM) is further studied. Research agenda, methods of TSCM are proposed. Finally, future research directors of SSCM are presented. The systematical managerial ideas and methods described in this paper will be very helpful for boosting the progress of service supply chain research.
Responding to change: internal and external factors in organizational success

Abstract: In order for organizations to adopt procedures and structures that efficiently serve their goals, they need to overcome predictable errors in individual and group judgment and decisionmaking and to distinguish ephemeral from significant environmental changes. I seek to identify factors internal and external to the organization that contribute to overcoming these two problems. I suggest the modern US research university as a case study of a successful organization.
Men’s Sexual Interest in Children: One-Year Incidence and Correlates in a Population-Based Sample of Finnish Male Twins

In a study of 1,310 Finnish adult male twins we found that sexual interest in children aged 12 or younger was reported by 0.2% of the sample. Sexual interest in children aged 15 or younger was reported by 3.3%. Participants reporting sexual interest in children aged 15 or younger were younger, reported stronger sexual desire, and had experienced more childhood sexual and nonsexual abuse. The present study is the first to give a population-based estimate of the incidence of sexual interest in children among adult men. The 12-month incidence of sexual interest in children below the age of 16 years is roughly comparable to the one-year incidence of major depression or the lifetime prevalence of transvestitic fetishism.
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma: stage at presentation and results of aggressive surgical management.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to report the stage of fibrolamellar carcinoma at presentation and the imaging findings of postoperative recurrent tumor in an aggressively managed population and to assess the implications of those findings relative to the patients' management. MATERIALS AND METHODS Imaging studies in 10 patients with pathologically proved fibrolamellar carcinoma were reviewed. Preoperative studies included CT (n = 10), sonography (n = 8), and MR imaging (n = 2). Postoperative studies included CT (n = 9), sonography (n = 4), and MR imaging (n = 1). Imaging findings were correlated with clinical and surgical follow-up data. Patients were followed up for 2-75 months (median, 26 months). RESULTS At presentation, seven (70%) of 10 patients had metastatic lymphadenopathy. Seven patients (70%), including four with lymph node metastasis, had tumor resections with intent to cure. Postoperative imaging studies revealed recurrent tumor in all seven of these patients, including six patients (86%) who had intrahepatic recurrence with or without lymph node metastasis after 6-18 months, and one patient (14%) who had distant metastases 66 months postoperatively. Recurrent lesions were subsequently resected in three (43%) of seven patients, who were disease-free at a mean of 8 months after their second resection. Five patients died after 9 months mean survival, and two patients were alive with residual tumor after 3 months mean follow-up. CONCLUSION Fibrolamellar carcinomas are often of advanced stage at diagnosis. Recurrence after resection with intent to cure is common. Early and frequent follow-up imaging is necessary for optimizing surgical management in patients with fibrolamellar carcinoma.
Feature‐based classification of native and non‐native protein–protein interactions: Comparing supervised and semi‐supervised learning approaches

Structural knowledge about protein–protein interactions can provide insights to the basic processes underlying cell function. Recent progress in experimental and computational structural biology has led to a rapid growth of experimentally resolved structures and computationally determined near‐native models of protein–protein interactions. However, determining whether a protein–protein interaction is physiological or it is the artifact of an experimental or computational method remains a challenging problem. In this work, we have addressed two related problems. The first problem is distinguishing between the experimentally obtained physiological and crystal‐packing protein–protein interactions. The second problem is concerned with the classification of near‐native and inaccurate docking models. We first defined a universal set of interface features and employed a support vector machines (SVM)‐based approach to classify the interactions for both problems, with the accuracy, precision, and recall for the first problem classifier reaching 93%. To improve the classification, we next developed a semi‐supervised learning approach for the second problem, using transductive SVM (TSVM). We applied both classifiers to a commonly used protein docking benchmark of 124 complexes. We found that while we reached the classification accuracies of 78.9% for the SVM classifier and 80.3% for the TSVM classifier, improving protein‐docking methods by model re‐ranking remains a challenging problem.
The Redistributive, Stabilising, and Insurance Effects at the Territorial Level of ‘Federal’ Government Budgets

The authors' aim is to estimate the redistributive, stabilising, and insurance effects of the ‘federal’ budgets of Australia, Spain, the USA, and the European Union, at the territorial level. This analysis was carried out for the budget as a whole through regional fiscal balances, and separately for revenues and expenditures. The methodology used was a panel data econometric model. The authors' main conclusion is that in all the cases considered the expenditures have higher effects—redistributive, and combined stabilising and insurance—than the revenues, and that the size of the whole European Union budget should be increased in order to enable the development of redistributive policies.
Executive stock option pricing based on volatility estimated by SV-GED model: Evidence from Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 Index

This paper develops a executive stock option pricing model based on the volatility estimated by SV-GED model, considering both the features of the volatility of stock return and the exceptional volatility of stock price which in exercise date, estimates the parameters of SV-GED model using Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, , and compare the executive stock option prices calculated by the option pricing model based on volatility estimated by SV-GED model and Black-Scholes option pricing model, based on Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 Index. It shows that SV-GED model has greater veracity in describing the volatility of financial asset returns; there are differences between the executive stock option value estimated by stock option pricing model based on volatility estimated by SV-GED model and that computed by B-S option pricing model, and the differences vary with the discrepancy between the underlying stock price and strike price.
Defined contribution pensions: dealing with the reluctant investor

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of key issues in the governance of defined contribution pension schemes, with a focus on investment matters, and to recommend best practices. Design/methodology/approach - The paper draws on the results of an online survey of the opinions of pensions professionals and on interviews with pensions professionals. Findings - The paper finds that many employers and pension scheme trustees are reluctant to take an active role in pension scheme design and to provide support and guidance to members for fear of legal liability. Scope exists for regulators and legislators to create “safe harbour” provisions that will encourage employers and trustees to become more active in supporting members. Practical implications - The paper makes a number of suggestions for best practice in the design and governance of defined contribution pension schemes, for example, in terms of the fund choice that should be offered. Originality/value - The paper provides the first comprehensive review of investment issues for UK defined contribution pension plans.
Methyldopa for primary hypertension.

BACKGROUND Hypertension is associated with an increased risk of stroke, myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. Methyldopa is a centrally acting antihypertensive agent, which was commonly used in the 1970's and 80's for blood pressure control. Its use at present has largely been replaced by antihypertensive drug classes with less side effects, but it is still used in developing countries due to its low cost. A review of its relative effectiveness compared to placebo on surrogate and clinical outcomes is justified. OBJECTIVES To quantify the effect of methyldopa compared to placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on all cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, serious adverse events, myocardial infarctions, strokes, withdrawals due to adverse effects and blood pressure in patients with primary hypertension. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the following databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1960-June 2009), MEDLINE (2005-June 2009), and EMBASE (2007-June 2009). Bibliographic citations from retrieved studies were also reviewed. No language restrictions were applied. SELECTION CRITERIA We selected RCTs studying patients with primary hypertension. We excluded studies of patients with secondary hypertension or gestational hypertension. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality using the risk of bias tool. Data synthesis and analysis was performed using RevMan 5. Data for blood pressure were combined using the generic inverse variance method. MAIN RESULTS Twelve trials (N=595) met the inclusion criteria for this review. None of these studies evaluated the effects of methyldopa compared to placebo on mortality and morbidity outcomes. Data for withdrawals due to adverse effects were not reported in a way that permitted meaningful meta-analysis. Data from six of the twelve trials (N=231) were combined to evaluate the blood pressure lowering effects of methyldopa compared to placebo. This meta-analysis shows that methyldopa at doses ranging from 500-2250 mg daily lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure by a mean of 13 (95%CI 6-20) / 8 (95% CI 4-13) mmHg. Overall, the risk of bias was considered moderate. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Methyldopa lowers blood pressure to varying degrees compared to placebo for patients with primary hypertension. Its effect on clinical outcomes, however, remains uncertain.
Two-way finite automata with restricted nondeterminism and descriptional complexity Internship report −

Acknowledgements : many thanks to professor Giovanni Pighizzini for its welcome and for having directed my internship. Many thanks also to Carlo Mereghetti and Beatrice Palano and all organizing committee of NCMA workshop for having given me the possibility to assist at this workshop. Many thanks also to Viliam Geffert for his contribution to our work. Thanks to Antonio Capoduro for coffees and pleasant discussions, and more generally thanks to all persons encountered at university, for welcoming me.
Functional Interactions of HCO 3-with Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator

Disruption of normal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator(CFTR)-mediated Cl transport is associated with cystic fibrosis (CF). CFTR is also required for HCO3 transport in many tissues such as the lungs, gastro-intestinal tract, and pancreas, although the exact role CFTR plays is uncertain. Given the importance of CFTR in HCO3 transport by so many CF-affected organ systems, it is perhaps surprising that relatively little is known about the interactions of HCO3 ions with CFTR. We have used patch clamp recordings from native pancreatic duct cells to study HCO3 permeation and interaction with CFTR. Ion selectivity studies shows that CFTR is between 3-5 times more selective for Cl over HCO3. In addition, extracellular HCO3 has a novel inhibitory effect on cAMP-stimulated CFTR currents carried by Cl. The block by HCO3 was rapid, relatively independent of voltage and occurred over the physiological range of HCO3 concentrations. These data show that luminal HCO3 acts as a potent regulator of CFTR, and suggests that inhibition involves an external anion-binding site on the channel. This work has implications not only for elucidating mechanisms of HCO3 transport in epithelia, but also for approaches used to treat CF.
Education, Earnings, and the "Canadian G.I. Bill"

Canadian Second World War veterans benefited from an extensive educational program similar to the U.S. G.I. Bill. Because of differences in military enlistment rates, however, a much lower fraction of Quebec men were eligible for these benefits than men from other provinces. Building on this fact, we analyse inter-cohort patterns of education and earnings for English-speaking men from Ontario, using French-speaking men from Quebec as a control group. We find that the instrumental variables estimates of the return to schooling are typically as big or bigger than the corresponding OLS estimates.
A Fast Monte Carlo Algorithm for Estimating Value at Risk and Expected Shortfall

Risk management today focuses heavily on estimating the location and conditional expectation of the left tail of the probability distribution for returns or portfolio value. The Holy Grail in derivatives pricing is a closed-form valuation equation such as in the Black–Scholes model, which takes a small number of input parameters and produces the exact arbitrage-free properties of the target portfolio, including value-at-risk (VaR) and expected shortfall (ES). But closed-form solutions are rare and largely limited to highly idealized markets. Lattice-based approximation techniques are available for more general settings, but they also have serious constraints. When all else fails, there is Monte Carlo simulation. Simulation always works, in principle, but the amount of calculation required in practice can be tremendous, which provides a strong incentive to find ways to speed up the process. Antithetic variates, control variates, and importance sampling are all helpful. In this article, the authors propose a new technique for estimating VaR and ES that is simple but remarkably powerful. Their first step is to determine which underlying risk factor is the most important. Next, for each simulated value of this primary factor, they simulate values for the remaining factors, requiring that every path generated exceed the VaR threshold. By not computing numerous paths that do not end up in the tail, the procedure can achieve the same accuracy as standard Monte Carlo simulation but several orders of magnitude faster.
Locational Preferences of FDI Firms in Turkey: A Detailed Examination of Regional Determinants

Within the last decade, foreign direct investment (FDI) research studies have attracted the attention of scholars in the fields of international business and economics. Previous FDI studies primarily focused on sectoral or geographical distribution and were concerned with economic analyses. In Turkey, the number of empirical studies examining location-specific factors has remained relatively low. This study is based on a sample of 90 companies that were surveyed in metropolitan areas in Turkey in 2006. Descriptive analysis and t-test statistical analysis techniques have been used in the analysis of the data obtained from the questionnaire. This one-sample t-test has been performed to determine whether the mean rating of a sample is significantly different from the population mean. According to the results of t-test, a determination has been made of the most important factors in location preference of foreign investment firms.
The Pricing and Profitability of Modular Clusters

The last twenty years have witnessed the rise of disaggregated "clusters" or "networks" of firms. In these clusters the activities of R&D, product design, production, logistics and selling may be split up among hundreds or even thousands of firms. Different firms will design and produce the different modules of a complex artifact (like the processor, peripherals, and software of a computer system), and different firms will specialize in different stages of a complex production process. This paper considers the pricing behavior and profitabililty of such clusters. In particular, we investigate a possibility hinted at in prior work: that pressures to raise prices across complementary-goods markets can offset pressures to reduce prices within oligopolistic differentiated-goods markets. In this paper, we isolate the offsetting price effects and show how they might operate in large as well as small clusters. We argue that it is theoretically possible for a "modular cluster" of firms to mimic the pricing behavior and profitability of "one big firm. "
CONCURRENT ENDURANCE AND EXPLOSIVE TYPE STRENGTH TRAINING INCREASES ACTIVATION AND FAST FORCE PRODUCTION OF LEG EXTENSOR MUSCLES IN ENDURANCE ATHLETES

The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effects of concurrent endurance and explosive strength training on electromyography (EMG) and force production of leg extensors, sport-specific rapid force production, aerobic capacity, and work economy in cross-country skiers. Nineteen male cross-country skiers were assigned to an experimental group (E, n = 8) or a control group (C, n = 11). The E group trained for 8 weeks with the same total training volume as C, but 27% of endurance training in E was replaced by explosive strength training. The skiers were measured at preand post training for concentric and isometric force-time parameters of leg extensors and EMG activity from the vastus lateralis (VL) and medialis (VM) muscles. Sport-specific rapid force production was measured by performing a 30-m double poling test with the maximal velocity (V30DP) and sport-specific endurance economy by constant velocity 2-km double poling test (CVDP) and performance (V2K) by 2-km maximal double poling test with roller skis on an indoor track. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was determined during the maximal treadmill walking test with the poles. The early absolute forces (0–100 ms) in the force-time curve in isometric action increased in E by 18 ± 22% (p < 0.05), with concomitant increases in the average integrated EMG (IEMG) (0–100 ms) of VL by 21 ± 21% (p < 0.05). These individual changes in the average IEMG of VL correlated with the changes in early force (r = 0.86, p < 0.01) in E. V30DP increased in E (1.4 ± 1.6%) (p < 0.05) but not in C. The V2K increased in C by 2.9 ± 2.8% (p < 0.01) but not significantly in E (5.5 ± 5.8%, p < 0.1). However, the steady-state oxygen consumption in CVDP decreased in E by 7 ± 6% (p < 0.05). No significant changes occurred in VO2max either in E or in C. The present concurrent explosive strength and endurance training in endurance athletes produced improvements in explosive force associated with increased rapid activation of trained leg muscles. The training also led to more economical sport-specific performance. The improvements in neuromuscular characteristics and economy were obtained without a decrease in maximal aerobic capacity, although endurance training was reduced by about 20%.
Effect of Lower-Limb Compression Clothing on 400-m Sprint Performance

Abstract Faulkner, JA, Gleadon, D, McLaren, J, and Jakeman, JR. Effect of lower-limb compression clothing on 400-m sprint performance. J Strength Cond Res 27(3): 669–676, 2013—This study investigated the effects of wearing a variety of lower-limb compression garments on 400-m sprint performance. Eleven 400-m male runners (23.7 ± 5.7 years, 1.78 ± 0.08 m, and 75.3 ± 10.0 kg) completed six, 400-m running tests on an outdoor, all-weather running track on separate occasions. The participants completed 2 runs with long-length lower-limb compression garments (LG; hip-to-ankle), a combination of short-length lower-limb compression garments (SG; hip-to-knee) with calf compression sleeves (ankle-to-knee), or without compression garments (CON; shorts), in a randomized, counterbalanced order. Overall lap time and 100-m split times, heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs) were measured during the 400-m run. Blood lactate concentration, visual analogue scales for perceived soreness, feeling and arousal, and scales for perceived comfort and tightness when wearing compression garments, were assessed before (preexercise, post–warm-up) and after 400-m performance (post, 4 minutes postexercise, after a warm-down). Statistical analysis revealed no differences between conditions in overall 400-m performance, 100-m split times, or blood lactate concentration (p > 0.05), although there was a trend for an increased rate of blood lactate clearance when wearing compression garments. A significantly lower RPE (p > 0.05) was however observed during LG (13.8 ± 0.9) and SG (13.4 ± 1.1) when compared with CON (14.0 ± 1.0). This study has demonstrated that lower-limb compression garments may lower the effort perception associated with 400-m performance, despite there being no differences in overall athletic performance.