Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Análise do processo de internacionalização da IBQ Britanite sob a ótica da abordagem comportamental

O processo de internacionalização de empresas tem se processado de diversas formas e em diferentes contextos. Dentre os modelos que orientam e explicam os movimentos realizados pelas empresas em direção ao mercado internacional, este estudo centra-se na perspectiva comportamental das teorias de internacionalização. O objetivo principal deste trabalho é analisar, à luz dos pressupostos teóricos da abordagem comportamental, o processo de internacionalização da IBQ Britanite, líder no mercado brasileiro de explosivos civis e na prestação de serviços em desmonte de rochas. Logo, o estudo caracteriza-se pelo viés qualitativo, realizado por meio de um estudo de caso único que responde a cinco questões básicas do processo de internacionalização: por que, o que, quando, onde e como as empresas internacionalizam suas atividades. Os resultados mostram que o processo de internacionalização da IBQ Britanite partiu de vantagens obtidas no mercado doméstico e de restrições de crescimento nesse mercado. Ao longo de sua trajetória internacional, a empresa avançou gradualmente na atividade exportadora e também para estágios de maior comprometimento com o mercado externo através de joint-ventures e subsidiária de produção
A learning-free method for anthropomorphic grasping

This work deals with grasping using an anthropomorphic hand. The main idea is to easily compute a grasp for a robotic hand in the context of a given task. This paper describes a method that does not require learning. Starting from works in the neuroscience field on human hand postural synergies, we introduce a two-level algorithm that uses a mathematical model of relationships between muscles and degrees-of-freedom of the hand and a set of five parameters to define synergies between muscles according to some grasp properties taken from an existing taxonomy of grasps. The two-level architecture presented in this paper aims to provide the flexibility needed for working with a real robotic hand. This algorithm is validated both in simulation using Gazebo and on the Shadow Robot Hand.
Analysing EOG signal features for the discrimination of eye movements with wearable devices

Eye tracking research in human-computer interaction and experimental psychology traditionally focuses on stationary devices and a small number of common eye movements. The advent of pervasive eye tracking promises new applications, such as eye-based mental health monitoring or eye-based activity and context recognition. These applications might require further research on additional eye movement types such as smooth pursuits and the vestibulo-ocular reflex as these movements have not been studied as extensively as saccades, fixations and blinks. In this paper we report our first step towards an effective discrimination of these movements. In a user study we collect naturalistic eye movements from 19 people using the two most common measurement techniques (EOG and IR-based). We develop a set of basic signal features that we extract from the collected eye movement data and show that a feature-based approach has the potential to discriminate between saccades, smooth pursuits, and vestibulo-ocular reflex movements.
OPTIMAL MULTIPLE-STOPPING OF LINEAR DIFFUSIONS AND SWING OPTIONS

Despite its crucial importance in the energy markets, the pricing of swing options with multiple exercise rights of the American type has received little attention in the mathematical finance and probability literature. In a first attempt at a theory for these multiple exercise options, Carmona and Touzi [Preprint, available at http://www.crest. fr/pageperso/lfa/touzi/cat03.ps] have recently studied the optimal multiple-stopping problem with a special reward function in the case of the Black-Scholes model, providing a rather complete solution. However, the Black-Scholes model has short-comings in pricing energy derivatives since the energy prices are known to have mean-reverting properties. Moreover, swing options with various other pay-off functions may be traded in energy markets, as in the case with options on stocks in stock markets. In this paper, we formulate and solve optimal multiple-stopping problems for general linear regular diffusions and reward functions by using novel methods introduced in Dayanik and Karatzas [Stochastic Process. Appl. , to appear] for classical optimal stopping problems. Examples are provided for mean-reverting diffusions.
Role of moral beliefs in aggression : an investigation across two cultures

The overarching aim of this thesis was to contribute to the understanding of specific moral-cognitive processes and mechanisms and their association with aggressive behaviour across age groups and across two cultures. A review of the literature identified the key questions for present research. There is extensive evidence that the normative acceptability of aggression is associated with aggressive behaviour. However the acceptability for retaliation in specific situations and discernment between justified and unjustified retaliation has not been thoroughly researched. Secondly the role of self-censure and self-reflection 'in the regulation of aggressive behaviour needs to be examined further. Finally hostility between groups and its association with beliefs has not been investigated in Muslim samples. Eight empirical studies addressed these specific questions. Study one investigated the component structure of Normative Beliefs about aggression Scale using samples from Pakistan and the UK. Beliefs about equal retaliation, excessive retaliation and beliefs about general aggression were found to be distinct components, were endorsed differentially and had different level of association with aggressive behaviour across both countries. Study two established the discriminant validity of this distinction by comparing a group of violent adolescents with a matched group of non-violent adolescents on acceptability of these types of retaliation. Study 3 examined the association of self-censure with aggressive behaviour and normative beliefs about aggression and retaliation. Self-censure was negatively associated with aggressive behaviour as well as with beliefs indicating that higher the endorsement of aggression, lower would be the expected self-censure as a result of aggression. Study four using retrospective accounts of real aggressive episodes found that private self-consciousness predicted self-censure as well as thinking about one's own aggressive actions. Both thinking and self-censure were negatively associated with frequency of aggressive acts. The beliefs about direct and indirect aggression among Pakistani adolescents were tested in Study five and a reliable measure was developed and found to have convergent validity. Study six examined moral reasoning among children and explored at a preliminary level a possible intervention for changing beliefs about victimization in school. Study seven and eight extended investigation of beliefs to intergroup context (anti-Semitic beliefs) and found that extreme beliefs were related to hostile intentions. An educational intervention was carried out which showed that beliefs could be influenced through creating empathy and stressing intergroup similarity.
A Curious Journey into the Scary World of Paul Hirsch

Paul Hirsch's two-part exposition (the first of which appeared in the October 1980 issue of this journal) confronts us, and the reader, with an improbable scenario. In order to take it seriously, which w e intend to do, one must entertain the likelihood of a brilliant scholarly surprise attack making mincemeat out of a plodding band of academic poachers. The masterful "reanalysis" of selected data not only demolishes cumulative results of a decade of fairly massive cooperative research and theory building, along with subs tan t i a l independent conf i rmat ion ; i t a lso demonstrates that the research is both worthless and stubbornly wrong-headed. Unlikely as that dramatic coup for pure science might be we intend to demonstrate that Hirsch's analysis is flawed, incomplete, and tendentious. We believe that the data, looked at cumulatively over numerous samples (including
Hur följer attityden en handling enligt kognitiv dissonansteori

Uppsatsen behandlar teorin om kognitiv dissonans och dess effekter pa attityder. Teorin om kognitiv dissonans beskriver bland annat att man stravar efter att handla konsekvent med sin attityd. Handlar man inkonsekvent kan man uppleva dissonans. Syftet med undersokningen var att mata attitydforandring utifran kognitiv dissonansteorin. Vi undersokte detta med experimentmetod och enkater dar vi med hjalp av 77 personer matte attityder till olika organisationer fore och efter en paverkan fran var sida. Vara analyser visade inga signifikanta effekter av attitydforandring i experimentet. Var framsta forklaring till detta ar den kognitiva dissonansen vi forsokte skapa blev for liten och att andra motivationsfaktorer paverkade resultatet for mycket.
Metabolism of amiodarone (Part III): identification of rabbit cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in the hydroxylation of mono-N-desethylamiodarone

1. Amiodarone (AMI) is a potent anti-arrhythmic drug and mono-N-desethylamiodarone (MDEA) is its only known metabolite. It was found recently that in rabbit liver microsomes MDEA was biotransformed to n-3-hydroxybutyl-MDEA (3OH-MDEA). 2. In liver microsomes isolated from the untreated rabbit, the formation of 3OHMDEA obeyed Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics with Km = 6.39 ± 1.07 μm and Vmax = 0.56 ± 0.21 nmol min−1 mg−1 protein. 3. Furthermore, (1) among chemicals usually used as inhibitors of cytochrome P450, only midazolam (MDZ), cyclosporin A and ketoconazole inhibited the MDEA hydroxylase activity significantly (> 60% inhibition), (2) MDZ, a substrate of CYP3A, inhibited the 3OH-MDEA formation competitively (Ki = 10 ± 5 μm), (3) the formation rates of 3OH-MDEA correlated positively with those of 1′OH-MDZ (r = 0.81; n = 6), and (4) MDEA hydroxylase activity of microsomes isolated from rabbit rifampicininduced cultured hepatocytes was 4-fold more active than the control. 4. Since CYP3A6 is mainly induced by rifampicin in rabbit-cultured hepatocytes, the data suggest that this isoform is involved in the biotransformation of MDEA to 3OHMDEA. 5. Since α-naphthoflavone, cimetidine and quinidine also partially inhibited the MDEA hydroxylase activity, it is possible that other CYPs, such as 1A, 2C and 2D, may also be active in the metabolism of amiodarone.
Acid Inhibition in GERD—How Much is Enough?

Gastric acid plays a fundamental role in the development of mucosal injury and symptoms in gastro-esophageal reflux disease(GERD). In this issue of the Journal, Milkes et al report the inability of proton pump inhibitor (PPIs) therapy to “normalize” 24-hour intraesophageal pH parameters despite good symptom control. Twenty-five of fifty H. pylori negative patients with chronic uncomplicated GERD failed to normalize their pH parameters. Failure of esophageal acid control correlated with inadequate gastric acid inhibition. These findings are provocative and interesting but difficult to reconcile against a large body of evidence supporting the superior therapeutic efficacy of PPIs in symptom control, healing of esophagitis, and decreasing the rate of dilations in patients with GERD. No information is provided regarding the status of the esophageal mucosa in patients failing to achieve normalization of pH values. This raises the question about the clinical significance of this finding: i.e., does the lack of normalization of esophageal pH parameters correlate with esophageal epithelial damage (endoscopically visible injury) or complications of the disease? The patient population for this study was highly selected, thus the true prevalence of this observation for the large pool of patients with GERD remains unknown. Despite this and other limitations, the study will likely stimulate further research to examine ultimately how much acid inhibition—and for how long—is critical to the healing of GERD and to prevent the complications of the disease.
Improving the reliability of diagnostic tests in population‐based agreement studies

Many large‐scale studies have recently been carried out to assess the reliability of diagnostic procedures, such as mammography for the detection of breast cancer. The large numbers of raters and subjects involved raise new challenges in how to measure agreement in these types of studies. An important motivator of these studies is the identification of factors that contribute to the often wide discrepancies observed between raters' classifications, such as a rater's experience, in order to improve the reliability of the diagnostic process of interest. Incorporating covariate information into the agreement model is a key component in addressing these questions. Few agreement models are currently available that jointly model larger numbers of raters and subjects and incorporate covariate information. In this paper, we extend a recently developed population‐based model and measure of agreement for binary ratings to incorporate covariate information using the class of generalized linear mixed models with a probit link function. Important information on factors related to the subjects and raters can be included as fixed and/or random effects in the model. We demonstrate how agreement can be assessed between subgroups of the raters and/or subjects, for example, comparing agreement between experienced and less experienced raters. Simulation studies are carried out to test the performance of the proposed models and measures of agreement. Application to a large‐scale breast cancer study is presented. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distance based visual cue to interpersonal trust

This thesis examines the role of interpersonal spacing in determining the visual appearance and emotional response to images of faces. We present new methods for isolating the distance-dependent perspective projection as a visual feature, while controlling for confounding variables such as emotional expression. In behavioral experiments, we demonstrate the relevance of viewing distance to implicit social judgments, notably trust behavior in which real money was at stake. Finally, we provide tools for classifying face images according to viewing distance, and manipulating face images to simulate their appearance at different distances and different levels of trustworthiness.
Environmental Coupling of Selection and Heritability Limits Evolution

There has recently been great interest in applying theoretical quantitative genetic models to empirical studies of evolution in wild populations. However, while classical models assume environmental constancy, most natural populations exist in variable environments. Here, we applied a novel analytical technique to a long-term study of birthweight in wild sheep and examined, for the first time, how variation in environmental quality simultaneously influences the strength of natural selection and the genetic basis of trait variability. In addition to demonstrating that selection and genetic variance vary dramatically across environments, our results show that environmental heterogeneity induces a negative correlation between these two parameters. Harsh environmental conditions were associated with strong selection for increased birthweight but low genetic variance, and vice versa. Consequently, the potential for microevolution in this population is constrained by either a lack of heritable variation (in poor environments) or by a reduced strength of selection (in good environments). More generally, environmental dependence of this nature may act to limit rates of evolution, maintain genetic variance, and favour phenotypic stasis in many natural systems. Assumptions of environmental constancy are likely to be violated in natural systems, and failure to acknowledge this may generate highly misleading expectations for phenotypic microevolution.
Homozygous loss of BHD causes early embryonic lethality and kidney tumor development with activation of mTORC1 and mTORC2

Germline mutations in the BHD/FLCN tumor suppressor gene predispose patients to develop renal tumors in the hamartoma syndrome, Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD). BHD encodes folliculin, a protein with unknown function that may interact with the energy- and nutrient-sensing AMPK-mTOR signaling pathways. To clarify BHD function in the mouse, we generated a BHD knockout mouse model. BHD homozygous null (BHDd/d) mice displayed early embryonic lethality at E5.5–E6.5, showing defects in the visceral endoderm. BHD heterozygous knockout (BHDd/+) mice appeared normal at birth but developed kidney cysts and solid tumors as they aged (median kidney-lesion-free survival = 23 months, median tumor-free survival = 25 months). As observed in human BHD kidney tumors, three different histologic types of kidney tumors developed in BHDd/+ mice including oncocytic hybrid, oncocytoma, and clear cell with concomitant loss of heterozygosity (LOH), supporting a tumor suppressor function for BHD in the mouse. The PI3K-AKT pathway was activated in both human BHD renal tumors and kidney tumors in BHDd/+ mice. Interestingly, total AKT protein was elevated in kidney tumors compared to normal kidney tissue, but without increased levels of AKT mRNA, suggesting that AKT may be regulated by folliculin through post translational or post-transcriptional modification. Finally, BHD inactivation led to both mTORC1 and mTORC2 activation in kidney tumors from BHDd/+ mice and human BHD patients. These data support a role for PI3K-AKT pathway activation in kidney tumor formation caused by loss of BHD and suggest that inhibitors of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 may be effective as potential therapeutic agents for BHD-associated kidney cancer.
An Auditory Paradigm for Brain-Computer Interfaces

Motivated by the particular problems involved in communicating with "locked-in" paralysed patients, we aim to develop a brain-computer interface that uses auditory stimuli. We describe a paradigm that allows a user to make a binary decision by focusing attention on one of two concurrent auditory stimulus sequences. Using Support Vector Machine classification and Recursive Channel Elimination on the independent components of averaged event-related potentials, we show that an untrained user's EEG data can be classified with an encouragingly high level of accuracy. This suggests that it is possible for users to modulate EEG signals in a single trial by the conscious direction of attention, well enough to be useful in BCI.
The SERRATE protein is involved in alternative splicing in Arabidopsis thaliana

How alternative splicing (AS) is regulated in plants has not yet been elucidated. Previously, we have shown that the nuclear cap-binding protein complex (AtCBC) is involved in AS in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here we show that both subunits of AtCBC (AtCBP20 and AtCBP80) interact with SERRATE (AtSE), a protein involved in the microRNA biogenesis pathway. Moreover, using a high-resolution reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction AS system we have found that AtSE influences AS in a similar way to the cap-binding complex (CBC), preferentially affecting selection of 5′ splice site of first introns. The AtSE protein acts in cooperation with AtCBC: many changes observed in the mutant lacking the correct SERRATE activity were common to those observed in the cbp mutants. Interestingly, significant changes in AS of some genes were also observed in other mutants of plant microRNA biogenesis pathway, hyl1-2 and dcl1-7, but a majority of them did not correspond to the changes observed in the se-1 mutant. Thus, the role of SERRATE in AS regulation is distinct from that of HYL1 and DCL1, and is similar to the regulation of AS in which CBC is involved.
Drug resistance is widespread among children who receive long-term antiretroviral treatment at a rural Tanzanian hospital

Objectives To assess long-term virological efficacy and the emergence of drug resistance in children who receive antiretroviral treatment (ART) in rural Tanzania. Patients and methods Haydom Lutheran Hospital has provided ART to HIV-infected individuals since 2003. From February through May 2009, a cross-sectional virological efficacy survey was conducted among children (<15 years) who had completed ≥6 months of first-line non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based ART. Genotypic resistance was determined in those with a viral load of >200 copies/mL. Results Virological response was measured in 19 of 23 eligible children; 8 of 19 were girls and median age at ART initiation was 5 years (range 2–14 years). Median duration of ART at the time of the survey was 40 months (range 11–61 months). Only 8 children were virologically suppressed (≤40 copies/mL), whereas 11 children had clinically relevant resistance mutations in the reverse transcriptase gene. The most frequent mutations were M184V (n = 11), conferring resistance to lamivudine and emtricitabine, and Y181C (n = 4), G190A/S (n = 4) and K103N (n = 4), conferring resistance to NNRTIs. Of concern, three children had thymidine analogue mutations, associated with cross-resistance to all nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Despite widespread resistance, however, only one child experienced a new WHO stage 4 event and none had a CD4 cell count of <200 cells/mm3. Conclusions Among children on long-term ART in rural Tanzania, >50% harboured drug resistance. Results for children were markedly poorer than for adults attending the same programme, underscoring the need for improved treatment strategies for children in resource-limited settings.
QoE-driven network management for real-time over-the-top multimedia services

This paper introduces a network access point (AP) control solution in the context of over-the-top (OTT) multimedia services. The solution is designed to provide network-level management mechanisms for packet traffic while using Quality of Experience (QoE) as a performance indicator. The results showed that with customer subscription scheme, traffic differentiation and QoE-driven management it is possible to both improve the perceived quality of multimedia traffic and increase the average revenue per user.