Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photoacoustic Microscopy: Superdepth, superresolution, and superb contrast.

Since its invention in the 17th century, optical microscopy has revolutionized biomedical studies by scrutinizing the biological realm on cellular levels, taking advantage of its excellent light-focusing capability. However, most biological tissues scatter light highly. As light travels in tissue, cumulative scattering events cause the photons to lose their original propagation direction and, thus, their ability to be focused, which has largely limited the penetration depth of optical microscopy. Conventional planar optical microscopy can provide penetration of only ~100 ? m before photons begin to be scattered. The penetration of modern optical microcopy, such as confocal microscopy and multiphoton microscopy, is still limited to approximately the optical diffusion limit (~1 mm in the skin as approximated by one optical transport mean free path), where scattered photons retain a strong memory of the original propagation direction. So far, it still remains a challenge for pure optical methods to achieve high-resolution in vivo imaging beyond the diffusion limit (i.e., superdepth imaging).
Six-phase motor drive with variable switching frequencies and voltage synchronization of inverters

In this paper, modulation processes have been analyzed in six-phase asymmetrical motor drive on the base of four inverters with discontinuous synchronous modulation. It has been shown, that flexible PWM strategy based on control of switching frequencies of inverters as function of dc voltages allows to improve system performance and to insure voltage waveform symmetries during adjustment range. Simulations validate operation of systems with basic control modes.
Motilin: towards a new understanding of the gastrointestinal neuropharmacology and therapeutic use of motilin receptor agonists

The gastrointestinal hormone motilin has been known about for >40 years, but after identification of its receptor and subsequent development of new tools and methods, a reappraisal of its actions is required. Firstly, it is important to note that motilin and ghrelin receptors are members of the same family (similar genomic organization, gastrointestinal distribution and abilities to stimulate gastrointestinal motility), yet each fails to recognize the ligand of the other; and whereas ghrelin and ghrelin receptors are widespread outside the gastrointestinal tract, motilin and its receptors are largely restricted to the gastrointestinal tract. Secondly, although some studies suggest motilin has activity in rodents, most do not, and receptor pseudogenes exist in rodents. Thirdly, motilin preferentially operates by facilitating enteric cholinergic activity rather than directly contracting the muscle, despite the relatively high expression of receptor immunoreactivity in muscle. This activity is ligand‐dependent, with short‐lasting actions of motilin contrasting with longer‐lasting actions of the non‐selective and selective motilin receptor agonists erythromycin and GSK962040. Finally, the use of erythromycin (also an antibiotic drug) to treat patients requiring acceleration of gastric emptying has led to concerns over safety and potential exacerbation of antibiotic resistance. Replacement motilin receptor agonists derived from erythromycin (motilides) have been unsuccessful. New, non‐motilide, small molecule receptor agonists, designed to minimize self‐desensitization, are now entering clinical trials for treating patients undergoing enteral feeding or with diabetic gastroparesis. Thus, for the translational pharmacologist, the study of motilin illustrates the need to avoid overreliance on artificial systems, on structural information and on animal studies.
Online Transportation Services Guideline for Service Quality

Over the past years, at an increasing pace, customer satisfaction has been an emphasis in most organization especially those in the service industry. Service quality becomes the major focus on achieving customer satisfy action and, over the long run, customer retention. Responding to the notion, many retailers begin to appreciate Customer Relationship Management (CRM) concept and constantly improve the quality of services that they offered to fulfill the customers expectations and satisfactions. Currently, the practice has also extended to the online retailers, both 'brick and mortar' and 'click and mortar' companies. The CRM concept has broaden to include online customers and services. This study is undertaken to explore the internet service quality in online service industry, particularly in e-ticketing of transportation service. Web observations were performed to identify the major and significant determinants of quality of internet services. By using electronic CRM (e-CRM) model as reference in observation, it is found that appearance and linkages are two important determinants that should be used when measuring the quality of internet services. Through the findings, a guideline of the transportation websites incorporating important features of e-CRM is developed.
Insecticide imidacloprid induces morphological and DNA damage through oxidative toxicity on the reproductive organs of developing male rats

We investigated whether treatment with imidacloprid would induce morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, antioxidant imbalance and apoptosis in the reproductive system of developing male rats. Twenty‐four male rats were included in this 90‐day study, starting at 7 days of age. The rats were divided into four groups. The first group was used as control. The second, third and fourth groups received oral 0.5‐, 2‐ and 8‐mg/kg imidacloprid, respectively. Serum, sperm and testis samples were collected from all groups at the end of the experimental period. The weights of the epididymis, vesicula seminalis, epididymal sperm concentration, body weight gain, testosterone and reduced glutathione values were lower in the imidacloprid‐treated groups than that in the controls. All treated groups had increased lipid peroxidation, fatty acid concentrations and higher rates of abnormal sperm. Apoptosis and fragmentation of seminal DNA were higher in rats treated at the two higher doses of imidacloprid. These results show that this compound has a negative effect on sperm and testis of rats. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the factors that influence venture capital fundraising: An empirical study in China

China is now in a period of economic transition and the promotion of the venture capital (VC) industry embodies the national strategy of building an innovation-oriented country. A sufficient supply of fund capital is a prerequisite to the development of the VC industry, as it is essentially engaged in fundraising activities. It is thus of considerable significance to investigate the supply of the funds for VC, or in other words, to examine the various factors that have an impact on VC fundraising. Although, some scholars have undertaken empirical analyses of these factors, there are no studies that have examined the VC fundraising factors in China based on domestic data. However, those factors that have already been studied are likely to have, significantly, different influences in different countries. Consequently, this paper defines seven factors that may impact VC fundraising based on interviews with Chinese VC entrepreneurs and limited partners in China. The seven factors are tested through regression analysis based on Chinese data and the results show considerable differences when compared with other countries. This paper undertakes a detailed analysis of the Chinese VC fundraising factors based on the existing academic framework and the unique Chinese data. Based on this, the study will present some recommendations for the development of the Chinese VC industry.
Corporate Blogs in New Zealand: Motivations and Challenges

This paper presents preliminary findings of the utilisation of corporate blogs, specifically leadership/CEO blogs in the SME B2B services sector in New Zealand. A qualitative study via interviews with five company CEOs were undertaken to explore their usage of corporate blogs. The findings indicated that respondents saw the co-creation of value in corporate blogging to engender a business climate of transparency, honesty and trust, while enhancing the visibility of their business online. However, respondents also experienced challenges, especially the lack of time CEOs have in maintaining their blogging frequency and lack of reader comments. This research aims to extend understanding of some intrinsic motivations and potentially valuable propositions involved in the utilisation of corporate blogs through a marketing communications perspective.
Effects of displacement–reinforcement between traditional media, PC internet and mobile internet

The purpose of this investigation is to examine media displacement–reinforcement effects between traditional media, PC internet and mobile internet. The theoretical foundations draw on niche theory and enduring involvement, and adopt the satisfaction–attitude–loyalty chain as a core model. The surveys were conducted in Japan and resulted in 992 responses from a general consumer sample. Two scenarios (dining out and travel planning) were created to manipulate the level of enduring involvement. Our data fit the proposed model reasonably well, supporting 12 out of 14 hypotheses. The findings indicate that the more satisfied consumers are with traditional media and mobile internet, the more likely they are to perceive PC internet unfavourably as an alternative information source in both involvement situations. However, a favourable attitude towards mobile internet could act as a reinforcement motivator to use PC internet in high-involvement situations. Therefore, our findings support cross-media campaigns in high-involvement situations. In closing, significant limitations are recognised, and future research directions suggested.
A study of valuation clients perception on mortgage valuation reliability

The effect of overvaluation and undervaluation cannot be over emphasized in any economy. Valuation opinions are very crucial to the operations and business dealings of the clients that seek valuer’s advice in decision making. Wrong opinion of value has caused strain in many business dealings. This paper studies the perception of clients on reliability of mortgage valuation in Nigeria. A sample size of 50 lending institutions was randomly chosen representing 57.5% of the target population in Lagos State, the study area. The study used descriptive statistic to analyse the data. The study reveals that clients are of the opinion that valuations produced by valuers were not reliable. This is as a result of the experiences they were having with large disparity between the final opinion of values of those properties on default mortgage that were foreclosed and the final sales price. The study therefore concludes that the estate surveyors and valuers in the country owe their clients a duty of care by presenting accurate and reliable valuation reports since other stakeholders of the real property investors depend on these reports for their investment decisions. Key words: Nigeria, mortgage valuation, reliability, perception.
ACCESS TO PARTICIPATION IN THE SHARING ECONOMY: THE CASE OF LOCAL ONLINE EXCHANGE IN A SINGLE PARENTS’ NETWORK

This paper examines the social implications of the online sharing economy for a specific use case: single parents in need of local goods and services. The sharing economy is an emerging phenomenon that encompasses the use of networked tools to enable a range of social and economic exchanges, as well as co-use practices such as hospitality exchange, ridesharing, and recycling of used goods. We present a case study of local online exchange among an existing community network of single parents, including participant observation and thirteen formal, semi-structured interviews. In addition, we discuss our collaboration with the community to design an online exchange network that prioritized their existing needs. This research addresses issues that can hinder the emergence of sharing practices—even when the potential benefits of participation are considered desirable and necessary by the target users. Our analysis demonstrates how community members were tempted by the social and material resources that participation in an online exchange network might provide. However, we found that the initial time investment and social commitment needed to gain access to these resources proved to be a significant hurdle for adoption. Through our empirical analysis, we discuss how unique challenges of single parenthood sometimes impeded opportunities to build trust and take part in online sharing activities. The results of our research highlight the challenges of user-focused design, and complicate the dominant narrative of the sharing economy as an accessible and convenient alternative for traditional markets.
Ambulatory use of psychotropics by employer-insured children and adolescents in a national managed care organization.

OBJECTIVE To provide a description of the ambulatory use of psychotropic medications by children and adolescents in a large, geographically diverse employer-insured population. DESIGN This retrospective observational study used administrative claims data for 1995-1999 for members under age 20 in 6 Independent Practice Association health plans affiliated with UnitedHealth Group. We calculated the prevalences of use for 4 major therapeutic drug classes: central nervous system stimulants (CNSSs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other antidepressants (OADs). Changes over time by age, gender, geographic region, and prescriber specialty were analyzed across drug classes. RESULTS The prevalence of CNSS, SSRI, and OAD use steadily increased over the 5-year period, whereas TCA use decreased. The prevalence of use of the most commonly used classes, the CNSS and SSRI classes, increased from 23.8 to 30.0 per 1000 and 7.9 to 12.8, respectively. There was variability across and within geographic regions. Pediatricians were the most frequent first prescribers of CNSS, and psychiatrists were most likely to prescribe SSRIs. CONCLUSION Acceleration of use of psychotropic medications is slower in an employer-insured national population. Since primary care physicians are frequent prescribers of psychotropics, their training and expertise are crucial.
Distal Myopathies

Although muscle disease classically presents with proximal extremity weakness, some myopathic disorders, including several types of muscular dystrophy, result in predominantly, or exclusively, distal muscle involvement. Accurate diagnosis of these relatively uncommon conditions can be challenging for the clinician, because of both the unusual phenotype and the significant overlap in the clinical features of many of these entities. Advances in molecular genetics have permitted a tentative classification of these disorders and have led to the identification of the responsible gene lesion for several of these entities. This review summarizes current understanding of this interesting group of muscular dystrophies and briefly summarizes other myopathies that can present with distal weakness.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN ROMANIA

The objective of the research was focused on measuring the performance level of corporate governance in Romania. This is carried out by evaluating the importance level given to the principles of corporate governance in the Romanian economy, while the practices of transparency and dissemination of companies’ information in the selected sample were monitored. To achieve the objectives of the study, we need to examine the Corporate Governance Code of the Bucharest Stock Exchange. Sample companies were selected and their information from the “Comply or Explain” Statements was analyzed. The research method is a non-participating observation—based on the information from the “Comply or Explain” Statement to determine whether companies are applying corporate governance and transparency elements. The research results highlight the progress of Romanian companies in the process of exercising to the principles of corporate governance, becoming internationally recognized, and integrating into the Corporate Governance Code of the Bucharest Stock Exchange.
The Ribonucleotide Reductase R1 Homolog of Murine Cytomegalovirus Is Not a Functional Enzyme Subunit but Is Required for Pathogenesis

ABSTRACT Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of deoxyribonucleotides. Alpha- and gammaherpesviruses express a functional enzyme, since they code for both the R1 and the R2 subunits. By contrast, betaherpesviruses contain an open reading frame (ORF) with homology to R1, but an ORF for R2 is absent, suggesting that they do not express a functional RNR. The M45 protein of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) exhibits the sequence features of a class Ia RNR R1 subunit but lacks certain amino acid residues believed to be critical for enzymatic function. It starts to be expressed independently upon the onset of viral DNA synthesis at 12 h after infection and accumulates at later times in the cytoplasm of the infected cells. Moreover, it is associated with the virion particle. To investigate direct involvement of the virally encoded R1 subunit in ribonucleotide reduction, recombinant M45 was tested in enzyme activity assays together with cellular R1 and R2. The results indicate that M45 neither is a functional equivalent of an R1 subunit nor affects the activity or the allosteric control of the mouse enzyme. To replicate in quiescent cells, MCMV induces the expression and activity of the cellular RNR. Mutant viruses in which the M45 gene has been inactivated are avirulent in immunodeficient SCID mice and fail to replicate in their target organs. These results suggest that M45 has evolved a new function that is indispensable for virus replication and pathogenesis in vivo.
Localization of Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Mouse Olfactory and Vomeronasal System: a Histochemical, Immunological and In Situ Hybridization Study

The distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the mouse olfactory bulb and olfactory epithelium, including the vomeronasal organ, was studied using an anti‐NOS antibody, NADPH diaphorase histochemistry and in situ hybridization with NOS specific antisense oligonucleotide probes. Interneurons containing NOS protein and mRNA, and exhibiting NADPH diaphorase activity were detected in the plexiform layer of the main olfactory bulb and the granule cell layer of main and accessory olfactory bulbs. Periglomerular cells and granule cells in the main olfactory bulb were also NOS positive with diaphorase and immunostaining for NOS. In contrast, no evidence for NOS expression was found either in the main olfactory epithelium or in the vomeronasal organ, in spite of the strong diaphorase staining of the surface of the main olfactory epithelium. Polymerase chain reaction amplification experiments for detection of NOS gene expression further indicated that NOS is expressed in the olfactory bulb but not in either the main olfactory epithelium or vomeronasal organ. Use of an antibody raised against another enzyme, NADPH‐P450 oxidoreductase, showed that this protein was strongly expressed in the olfactory epithelium. Activity of this enzyme may account for the diaphorase histochemical staining of the epithelia. An involvement of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in signalling in olfactory receptor neurons is therefore doubtful, although NOS is clearly expressed in neurons in both main and accessory olfactory bulbs.
Realising the Diversity Dividend: Population Diversity and Urban Economic Development

This paper critically examines the increasing use of population diversity as a source of competitive advantage and distinctiveness within policies promoting urban economic development. Rising levels of population diversity are a characteristic feature of many urban areas and this has led to increased policy attempts to realise a so-called ‘diversity dividend’. Yet much of this policy thinking demonstrates a restricted understanding of the nature of the relationships between diverse populations and urban economic change. Through a comprehensive review of existing theoretical and policy practice in relation to population diversity, this paper identifies an often narrow focus upon higher skilled and higher income populations and their needs within much urban economic policy thinking. It is argued that a more critical and wide-ranging approach to the complex relationship between population diversity and city development is required if a more just form of urban economic development is to be achieved.
Polylactic acid implants (New-Fill)® to correct facial lipoatrophy in HIV-infected patients: results of the open-label study VEGA

Background: In the absence of currently available therapy to manage facial lipoatrophy, strategies used to compensate for facial fat loss warrant clinical evaluation. Methods: The goal of this open-label, single-arm, pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of facial injections of poly-L-lactic acid (PLA) (New-Fill)® in HIV-infected patients with severe facial lipoatrophy. Patients received four sets of injection at day 0 and then every 2 weeks for 6 weeks. Patients were evaluated by clinical examination, facial ultrasonography, and photography at screening and at weeks 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96. Results: Fifty patients were enrolled. At entry, the median facial fat thickness was equal to zero (range, 0.0–2.1 mm). The median total cutaneous thickness (TCT) increased significantly from baseline : +5.1 mm (range, 2.2–8.6 mm) at week 6, +6.4 mm (range, 3.1–9.1 mm) at week 24, +7.2 mm (range, 4.2–9.6 mm) at week 48, +7.2 mm (range, 3.5–9.6 mm) at week 72 and +6.8 mm (range, 3.9–10.1 mm) at week 96 (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with TCT > 10 mm was observed in 19% at week 6, 41% at week 24, 61% at week 48, 52% at week 72 and 43% at week 96. In 22 (44%) patients, palpable but non-visible subcutaneous micronodules were observed with a spontaneous resolution in six patients at week 96. Conclusion: The benefit of PLA for the correction of the facial lipoatrophy in HIV-infected patients was clearly demonstrated, with an evident aesthetic and quality of life improvement. The efficacy, safety profile, and the simplicity of the injection schedule of PLA make this filling material a potentially attractive treatment.