Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design, simulation, and fabrication of a novel multi-band miniaturized antenna for wireless communication applications

Design, simulation, and fabrication of a novel multi-band miniaturized antenna are reported. The fabricated antenna whose feeding waveguide is of coplanar (CPW) type can be employed in miniaturized antenna arrays. The fabrication of the antenna requires deposition of aluminum on a glass substrate. The deposited aluminum layer is then patterned to form the antenna layout. The antenna layout consists of radial conducting segments of various lengths to achieve multi-band operation. Simulated radiation characteristics of the antenna have verified the expected multi-band performance.
Supporting distributed team-building using GSS: a dialogue theory-based framework

Literature review on Group Support Systems (GSS) shows that most prior GSS research focuses on supporting face-to-face team work, relatively less research has been conducted on the support of distributed team work, and even less research has been conducted on the support of distributed team-building. When global team work is becoming more common in organizations, how GSS can be used to enhance distributed team-building is another important research issue. This paper proposes a dialogue theory-based team-building framework, which aims to support distributed team-building. Based on this framework, a set of testable propositions is formulated. Implications of the derived framework are discussed in serving to provide some suggestions for researchers of team behavior and organizational users of GSS.
Resultados preliminares sobre el desarrollo de un modelo matemático para predecir el contenido de agua en el cartílago por resonancia magnética

RESUMEN Introduccion: El cartilago es un tejido compuesto por agua hasta en un 80%. Mediante secuencias de resonancia magnetica es posible correlacionar la intensidad de senal del tejido con el contenido de agua, por lo que el objetivo del presente estudio fue desarrollar un modelo matematico para estimar el porcentaje de agua presente en una muestra de cartilago. Material y metodos: Se realizo el analisis de 45 bloques de agarosa con concentraciones progresivas y conocidas de agua (70 a 100%) mediante mapeos reales con valores absolutos de T1 y recuperacion inversa de la secuencia por resonancia magnetica. Los valores obtenidos se modelaron en una regresion lineal para obtener una ecuacion de prediccion del contenido de agua. Resultados: La ecuacion contenido de agua ~ intensidad de senal T1 correlaciona con una r 2 de 0.9715 (p < 0.001) el contenido de agua de los bloques de agarosa. Discusion: El mapeo de cartilago con secuencias T1 provee informacion sobre la cantidad de agua presente en el tejido con un valor predictivo cercano al 98.0%. Nivel de evidencia: I Palabras clave: Cartilago, resonancia magnetica, T1. (Rev Mex Ortop P ed 2014; 1:26-28) SUMMARY
Business Intelligence Solution for an SME: A Case Study

Business Intelligence (BI) leverages the usefulness of existing information. It equips business users with relevant information to perform various analyses to make key business decisions. Over the last two decades, BI has become a core strategy for the growth of many companies, in particular large corporations. However, studies show that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lag behind in implementation and exploitation of BI solutions. To stay ahead of the competition, SMEs must be able to monitor and effectively use all of their resources, in particular information resources, to assist them in making important business decisions. In this paper, we examine the challenges such as lack of technical expertise and limited budget when implementing a BI solution within an SME in the UK. In light of our experiences in tackling these issues, we discuss how these challenges can be overcome through applying various tools and strategies and the potential benefits.
Visualization Analysis of Dynamic Evolution in the Field of National Innovation Studies

In this paper, we researched the development history of national innovation studies from the scope of scientific measurement, and analyzed the distribution features of typical authors and their literatures by countries and institutions combining all publication on national innovation. We used mapping of science and information visualization to analyze dynamic network of national innovation by CiteSpace II. Based on this, we discussed knowledge structure and evolution of national innovation studies, and then detected emerging trends and transient patterns in this field.
Valence-sensitive neurons exhibit divergent functional profiles in gregarious and asocial species

The medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTm) influences both social approach and social aversion, suggesting that this structure may play an important role in generating motivational and behavioral differences between gregarious and asocial species. However, no specific neurons have been identified within the BSTm that influence species-typical levels of sociality or that mediate approach and avoidance. Using five songbird species that differ selectively in their species-typical group sizes, we now demonstrate that vasotocin-immunoreactive (VT-ir) neurons of the BSTm exhibit very different immediate early gene responses to same-sex stimuli in gregarious and asocial species. Exposure to a same-sex conspecific increases VT-Fos colocalization in gregarious species while decreasing colocalization in relatively asocial species. We additionally demonstrate that these neurons are selectively activated by social stimuli that normally elicit affiliation (positively valenced social stimuli) but not by stimuli that elicit aversion (negatively valenced social stimuli). Constitutive Fos activity of the VT-ir neurons is also significantly greater in the gregarious species, and the two most social species express significantly more VT-ir neurons. These findings demonstrate that the properties of valence-sensitive neurons evolve in relation to sociality and indicate that gregarious species accentuate positive stimulus properties during social interactions.
Mean platelet volume and other platelet volume indices in patients with acute myocardial infarction : A case control study ”

Platelets play an important role in both initiation and propagation of acute coronary syndromes. Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of platelet volume indices in patients of MI. Methods: This hospital based case control comparative study was conducted between September 2013 to July 2014, evaluating the values of platelet indices of 60 patients of MI and 60 healthy control subjects. Blood sample was drawn from patients of acute myocardial infarction within 6 hrs of arrival before administration of any anticoagulant, in EDTA bulbs and samples were analyzed within 30 minutes of collection. Platelet indices was measured using an automated hematologic analyzer called SYSMEX 4000 I. Results: Platelet indices (MPV, PDW, P-LCR) were raised in MI patients (11.97± 1.458 fl, 15.23 ± 3.503 fl and35.76± 8.210% respectively) as compared to controls (10.72±0.940 fl, 13.25 ± 2.526 fl and 31.40 ± 5.823 % respectively); whereas platelet count and PCT were low in MI pt. (231.25 ± 67.27 ×10 3 /μl, 0.266 0 ±.0641% respectively) as compared to controls (276.38± 120.86×10 3 /μl and 0.320 4±.0133% respectively). Conclusion: Platelet indices (MPV, PDW, P-LCR, PCT) was found to be an important predictor of MI. They can be used as a simple, reliable, and economical method for predicting an impending acute coronary event.
Mycelial Growth of Pleurotus Spp in Se-Enriched Culture Media

Selenium (Se) is an essential element to human. However, this element can be in low content in soil of some regions. Se deficiency may cause Keshan disease, thyroid dysfunction and osteoarthritis. The Se-enriched cereals are an interesting way to prevent these diseases. But, recent studies have shown that Se-enriched mushrooms are a better Se source. This occurs due to the high capacity of the fungi to absorb and transform the inorganic Se to organic forms, which are more bioavailable. Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus eryngii are mushrooms species worldwide consumed and able to Se bioaccumulate. However, depending on the level of this element, it can be toxic for the fungus. Here we showed that the presence of the Se in culture medium decreases fungal growth rate, hyphae diameter and septum distance and causes alteration in color of colony. A garlic strong smell was directly proportional to Se level. P. eryngii was more tolerant to Se than P. ostreatus. So, it is important to screen this element level for Se-enriched mushroom production.
Tissue Expansion of the Facial Nerve in an Animal Model

The usefulness of tissue expanders in reconstructive surgery has been well established for skin, muscle, and fascia. There has been only anecdotal examination of tissue expansion techniques in peripheral neural tissue. Segmental sacrifice of cranial nerves is at times required in head and neck surgery. Nerve lengthening for re-anastomosis after segmental resection would be a valuable technique. This study used tissue expansion techniques in a porcine model to explore its effects on the peripheral facial nerve. Inflation of the expander in all animals resulted in no clinical signs of neural degeneration in the lengthened nerves. Microscopy of selected facial nerve specimens demonstrated histologic changes in the neural architecture without evidence of neural degeneration by electromyography. Although there was no significant statistical difference between the experimental and control arms of this study, expansion of neural tissue warrants further investigation, potentially offering a promising adjunct in reconstructive head and neck surgery.
Ostertagiasis in Cattle

Ostertagiasis, a parasitic gastritis caused by the wintered contamination poses a risk of infection to nematode Ostertagia ostertagi, is the most important cattle grazing spring pasture in the northern states. of the gastrointestinal helminth infections of cattle in 2. Pasture contamination (numbers of infective L3 lartemperate climates. It is also important in some subvae per unit of forage) increases abruptly beginning tropical regions with winter rainfall. Ostertagiasis is in mid-summer. High levels of pasture contamimanifested as several patterns of clinical disease based nation continue through late summer and fall, with on a complex and variable epidemiology. In addition, production losses and possible clinical type I disease huge financial losses are incurred annually by producas outcomes that may occur at this time of year. ers due to undiagnosed subclinical disease resulting in 3. The incidence of type I disease is high in young lowered production. The annual cost of gastrointestinal cattle compared to the relatively uncommon ocnematodiasis in the United States has conservatively currence of type II ostertagiasis in yearlings and been estimated in excess of $250 million. Ostertaolder animals. The actual incidence of type I infecgiasis accounts for a major portion of that loss. tions is probably underreported.
Comparison of two‐phase lipase‐catalyzed esterification on micro and bench scale

Lipase type B from Candida antarctica was used to catalyze the esterification of propionic acid and 1‐butanol in a water/n‐decane two‐phase system on micro and on bench scale. The reaction was described by a Ping Pong Bi Bi mechanism with alcohol inhibition. The kinetic parameters on micro and bench scale were compared; no significant differences were found. Furthermore, effects of temperature on activation and inactivation of the enzyme were found to be similar on micro and bench scale. Therefore, parameters found on either scale can be used for the other scale. Enzyme kinetic parameters can be determined on a micro scale, with very low consumption of reagents and catalyst, and then be applied to bench scale. This can reduce the cost of optimizing enzyme processes by downscaling. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;99: 855–861. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conversion in different depths of ultraviolet and visible light activated composite materials.

Studies by means of infrared multiple internal reflection spectroscopy of ultraviolet and visible light polymerized composite resin materials indicated that the degree of conversion below the surface is nearly constant for most of the materials investigated until a depth is reached where the degree of conversion rapidly decreases. The maximum depth of cure has also been measured for some proprietary dental composite resin materials. This investigation has demonstrated that the conversion at different depths and the maximum curing depth are dependent on the composition of the composite filling material, light source, and exposure time. With respect to the activating system it was found that with visible light activated materials larger curing depths were obtained than with ultraviolet light activated materials. Better results with respect to curing depth were also obtained with materials containing conventional inorganic fillers than with those containing so-called microfillers.The limiting factor for tota.
On our Knowledge of Markets for Knowledge ― A Survey

It is commonplace that advanced economies are knowledge (based) economies, meaning that knowledge is a major factor for the creation of economic benefits. The importance of knowledge for economic development was emphasized a long time ago by leading “Austrian” economists like Joseph Schumpeter and Friedrich Hayek. Both contemporaries of Wittgenstein claimed that the superiority of a capitalist economy as compared to its alternatives stems from its efficiency with respect to the creation, processing and utilization of knowledge. But knowledge, however defined, is quite different in many respects from most other goods. Markets are fairly efficient when it comes to the allocation of conventional goods, but various difficulties and paradoxes arise when they are supposed to trade knowledge and provide incentives for its creation. We shall consider some of them and discuss whether alternative institutional setups after all may not be as bad as some Austrian economists maintained.
Caracterizando a gestão estratégica de custos na busca de vantagem competitiva

Ainda existe uma lacuna de conhecimento a respeito do conceito de Gestao Estrategica de Custos. O conceito de vantagem competitiva ja possui consenso em sua definicao, principalmente nas bases teoricas de autores (PORTER 2009; BARNEY 1991; HAMEL e PRAHALAD, 1994). O presente artigo tem como o objetivo explorar os mais variados conceitos de Gestao Estrategica de Custos e chegar a um consenso de conceito a respeito do tema. O artigo tambem busca como a gestao estrategica de custo se caracteriza na busca da vantagem competitiva para as empresas. O estudo se caracteriza como um ensaio teorico com caracteristicas descritivas a partir de um quadro de referencia em autores de estrategia, vantagem competitiva, concorrencia e gestao estrategica de custos. O metodo de analise foi o de analise de conteudo na busca de uma inter-relacao entre esses conceitos. Os resultados apontam que a gestao estrategica de custos na busca da vantagem competitiva, ocorre em duas fases. A primeira quando se faz a gestao, a priori, da estrutura de custos que se instala com a estrategia selecionada. A segunda quando as informacoes de custos subsidiam as decisoes para a manutencao ou melhoria da vantagem competitiva ja conquistada. Assim, verificou-se o pressuposto inicial que a estrategia e a gestao estrategica de custos estao diretamente ligadas, pois quando ha uma nova estrategia ha uma nova estrutura de custos e a gestao estrategica de custos pode servir como um norteador para a tomada de decisao.
Caenorhabditis elegans has a single pathway to target matrix proteins to peroxisomes

All eukaryotes so far studied, including animals, plants, yeasts and trypanosomes, have two pathways to target proteins to peroxisomes. These two pathways are specific for the two types of peroxisome targeting signal (PTS) present on peroxisomal matrix proteins. Remarkably, the complete genome sequence of Caenorhabditis elegans lacks the genes encoding proteins specific for the PTS2 targeting pathway. Here we show, by expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporters for both pathways, that the PTS2 pathway is indeed absent in C. elegans. Lack of this pathway in man causes severe disease due to mislocalization of PTS2‐containing proteins. This raises the question as to how C. elegans has accommodated the absence of the PTS2 pathway. We found by in silico analysis that C. elegans orthologues of PTS2‐containing proteins have acquired a PTS1. We propose that switching of targeting signals has allowed the PTS2 pathway to be lost in the phylogenetic lineage leading to C. elegans.
An ISFET Interface Circuitry for Biomedical Applications

The ion-selective field effective transistor has features of rapid reaction time, high sensitivity, batch processing, small size and single chip integration. It can be implemented by CMOS technology. These advantages make it the first choice for VLSI electrochemistry bio-inspired applications. In order to capture the response of the ISFET sensors, it is necessary for the ISFET to be accompanied by an analogue interface electronic. The important contribution of this paper is to present a readout circuit allowing reduction of influence of body effect. It is applicable to use in ISFET-based microsystems. The proposed circuit shows an enhanced accuracy of pH measurements while maintaining the ISFET being at constant drain-source voltage and current condition, with the reference electrode grounded. Furthermore, the presented scheme permits of improving the temperature dependency, long-term drift with the differential output configuration.
Incentive effects of corporate debt reorganization

This paper examines decisions of the creditor at corporate bankruptcy time. When the bankruptcy occurs, there are two possible situations. One situation is that the firm goes into liquidation procedure and the creditor receives the residual assets. The other situation is that the firm keeps on operation by debt reorganization. In the paper, we discuss two ways of debt reorganization, debt for equity swap and debt relief plan. The creditor may choose liquidation or keeping the firm operating at bankruptcy moment according to comparing the values of liquidation and debt reorganization. The survey shows that the debt level has important effects on corporate bankruptcy decisions and debt reorganization decisions. For different level of debt, the firm will perform different decisions of liquidation or debt reorganization when the bankruptcy occurs. The analysis in the paper can be used as a reference to study on Chinese corporate debt and bankruptcy problems.
Thyroid Function Changes and Cytokine Alterations following Major Surgery

To establish whether cytokine release is implicated in thyroid hormone changes during surgical stress we studied 36 adult patients (20 men; mean age ± SD: 68.5 ± 10.5 years) undergoing elective major abdominal operations. We measured tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10 and thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and triiodothyronine (T3) before scheduled non-emergency surgery, immediately postoperatively, on the 1st postoperative day (post-1) and on the 2nd postoperative day (post-2). TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 peaked on day post-1 whereas IL-10 peaked immediately postoperatively. Fourteen of 36 patients had low T3 levels after surgery, indicating non-thyroidal illness (NTI). Significant negative correlations were noted among TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 against T3 and FT4. Cytokines are responsible, at least in part, for NTI following major operations.
Single-switch equalization charger using multi-stacked buck-boost converters for series-connected energy storage cells

The cell voltage imbalance of series-connected energy storage cells such as supercapacitors (SCs) and lithium-ion cells leads to the premature degradation and a decrease in the available energy of the cells. In this study, single-switch equalization chargers using multi-stacked buck-boost converters have been proposed. The single-switch operation can dramatically reduce circuit complexity compared with that of conventional equalizers. Fundamental operating principles of both voltage-equalized and voltage-imbalanced conditions are presented. Experimental charge tests using a single ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC)-based prototype for 4-series connected SCs were performed. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed equalization charger can charge the series-connected SCs preferentially in the order of increasing cell voltage, and all SCs were charged to a uniform voltage level. Another charge test was performed for 4-series connected SCs containing an aged cell. All the cell could be charged uniformly, regardless of individual cell capacitance.
Path planning for planetary rover using extended elevation map

This paper describes a path planning method for planetary rovers to search for paths on planetary surfaces. The planetary rover is required to travel safely over a long distance for many days over unfamiliar terrain. Hence it is very important how planetary rovers process sensory information in order to understand the planetary environment and to make decisions based on that information. As a new data structure for informational mapping, an extended elevation map (EEM) has been introduced, which includes the effect of the size of the rover. The proposed path planning can be conducted in such a way as if the rover were a point while the size of the rover is automatically taken into account. The validity of the proposed methods is verified by computer simulations.
Glucose Regulates Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Gene Transcription in a PDX1- and Calcium-dependent Manner*

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and insulin are expressed in the β-cells of the islets of Langerhans. They are co-secreted in response to changes in glucose concentration, and their mRNA levels are also regulated by glucose. The promoters of both genes share similar cis-acting sequence elements, and both bind the homeodomain transcription factor PDX1, which plays an important role in the regulation of the insulin promoter and insulin mRNA levels by glucose. Here we examine the role of PDX1 in the regulation of the human IAPP promoter by glucose. The experiments were facilitated by the availability of a human β-cell line (NES2Y) that lacks PDX1. NES2Y cells also lack operational KATPchannels, resulting in a loss of control of calcium signaling. We have previously used these cells to show that glucose regulation of the insulin gene is dependent on PDX1, but not calcium. In the mouse β-cell line Min6, glucose (16 mm) stimulated a 3.5–4-fold increase in the activity of a −222 to +450 IAPP promoter construct compared with values observed in 0.5 mm glucose. In NES2Y cells, glucose failed to stimulate transcriptional activation of the IAPP promoter. Overexpression of PDX1 in NES2Y cells failed to reinstate glucose-responsive control of the IAPP promoter. Glucose effects on the IAPP promoter were observed only in the presence of PDX1 when normal calcium signaling was restored by overexpression of the two KATP channel subunits SUR1 and Kir6.2. The importance of calcium was further emphasized by an experiment in which glucose-stimulated IAPP promoter activity was inhibited by the calcium channel blocker verapamil (50 μm). Verapamil was further shown to inhibit the stimulatory effect of glucose on IAPP mRNA levels. These results demonstrate that like the insulin promoter, glucose regulation of the IAPP promoter is dependent on the activity of PDX1, but unlike the insulin promoter, it additionally requires the activity of another, as yet uncharacterized factor(s), the activity of which is calcium-dependent.