Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Étude théorique des modulations centre/pourtour des propriétés des champs récepteurs du cortex visuel primaire : circuits, dynamiques et corrélats perceptifs

La reponse des neurones du cortex visuel primaire (V1) a un stimulus presente dans le champ recepteur peut etre modulee par la stimulation du pourtour du champ recepteur. L'origine et le role fonctionnel de ces modulations " centre/pourtour " restent peu compris. Par la modelisation, et en interaction avec des approches psychophysiques et physiologiques, nous cherchons a repondre a 2 questions : Quels sont les circuits responsables de la diversite de ces effets ? Nous fournissons des outils theoriques pour evaluer les modeles existants, les reconcilier au sein d'un meme formalisme, et comprendre comment les diverses caracteristiques spatiales des modulations centre/ pourtour peuvent resulter des proprietes connues de V1. Quelles sont les consequences des dynamiques de ces effets sur les reponses neuronales et sur la perception visuelle? Nos resultats suggerent que les reponses de V1 et la perception des objets visuels dependent non seulement du contexte spatial, mais aussi du contexte temporel dans lequel ces objets sont presentes. Nous discutons les implications fonctionnelles possibles de ce mecanisme pour l'analyse d'objets statiques ou en mouvement.
Beta-cell function is a major contributor to oral glucose tolerance in high-risk relatives of four ethnic groups in the U.S.

First-degree relatives of individuals with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of developing hyperglycemia. To examine the prevalence and pathogenesis of abnormal glucose homeostasis in these subjects, 531 first-degree relatives with no known history of diabetes (aged 44.1 +/- 0.7 years; BMI 29.0 +/- 0.3 kg/m(2)) underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Newly identified diabetes was found in 19% (n = 100), and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was found in 36% (n = 191). Thus, only 45% (n = 240) had normal glucose tolerance (NGT). The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to estimate insulin sensitivity; beta-cell function was quantified as the ratio of the incremental insulin to glucose responses over the first 30 min during the OGTT (DeltaI(30)/DeltaG(30)). This latter measure was also adjusted for insulin sensitivity as it modulates beta-cell function ([DeltaI(30)/DeltaG(30)]/HOMA-IR). Decreasing glucose tolerance was associated with increasing insulin resistance (HOMA: NGT 12.01 +/- 0.54 pmol/mmol; IFG/IGT 16.14 +/- 0.84; diabetes 26.99 +/- 2.62; P < 0.001) and decreasing beta-cell function (DeltaI(30)/DeltaG(30): NGT 157.7 +/- 9.7 pmol/mmol; IFG/IGT 100.4 +/- 5.4; diabetes 57.5 +/- 7.3; P < 0.001). Decreasing beta-cell function was also identified when adjusting this measure for insulin sensitivity ([DeltaI(30)/DeltaG(30)]/HOMA-IR). In all four ethnic groups (African-American, n = 55; Asian-American, n = 66; Caucasian, n = 217; Hispanic-American, n = 193), IFG/IGT and diabetic subjects exhibited progressively increasing insulin resistance and decreasing beta-cell function. The relationships of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function to glucose disposal, as measured by the incremental glucose area under the curve (AUCg), were examined in the whole cohort. Insulin sensitivity and AUCg were linearly related so that insulin resistance was associated with poorer glucose disposal (r(2) = 0.084, P < 0.001). In contrast, there was a strong inverse curvilinear relationship between beta-cell function and AUCg such that poorer insulin release was associated with poorer glucose disposal (log[DeltaI(30)/DeltaG(30)]: r(2) = 0.29, P < 0.001; log[(DeltaI(30)/DeltaG(30))/HOMA-IR]: r(2) = 0.45, P < 0.001). Thus, abnormal glucose metabolism is common in first-degree relatives of subjects with type 2 diabetes. Both insulin resistance and impaired beta-cell function are associated with impaired glucose metabolism in all ethnic groups, with beta-cell function seeming to be more important in determining glucose disposal.
The Born Global Dilemma: Trade-off Between Rapid Growth and Control

1 Overview, background and historical origin of born globals; development of theoretical and empirical research 3 Mika Gabrielsson and V.H. Manek Kirpalani 2 Born global or simply rapidly internationalizing? Review, critique, and future prospects 16 Leonidas C. Leonidou and Saeed Samiee 3 Determinants of diff erent types of born globals 36 Matthias Baum, Christian Schwens and Rüdiger Kabst 4 Born global and bornagain global fi rms: a comparison of internationalization patterns 46 Michael Sheppard and Rod McNaughton 5 The born global dilemma: tradeoff between rapid growth and control 57 Carl Arthur Solberg 6 An inquiry into born global fi rms’ learning process: a case study of information technologybased SMEs 71 Alex Rialp, Inmaculada GalvánSánchez and Minerva García
Stock Market Reaction to Election Cycles: The Nigerian Experience

This study seeks to unravel the relationship between national electoral events and industry’s stock market returns using the various presidential elections in Nigeria. The study adopts the traditional Market Model (MM) and testing with the Cumulative Abnormal Return (CAR) approach on the daily market data from the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Evidences abound that banking and Petroleum sector decreases before and increases after all elections. With the same trend for other sectors such as Conglomerates stock prices which oscillated in the same direction for the1999 and 2003; Brewery took their turn 1999 and 2011 while building sector experienced this event effect in 1999, thereby revealing industry connectivity with political activities. This manifests as their stock returns tend to reduce generally before and increase after election periods. We therefore recommend the depoliticization of public policies through strict adherence to corporate governance codes and strengthening of public institutions. This will put a check on the political manoeuvrings of the economy by boosting investors’ confidence on the market regardless of electoral activities and power swings. More importantly, for those stocks that experiences increase in value after election it is a better time to sell those portfolios and buy these stocks that experience loss in value at a post-election window.
Transferable Deep Features for Keyword Spotting

Deep features, defined as the activations of hidden layers of a neural network, have given promising results applied to various vision tasks. In this paper, we explore the usefulness and transferability of deep features, applied in the context of the problem of keyword spotting (KWS). We use a state-of-the-art deep convolutional network to extract deep features. The optimal parameters concerning their application are subsequently studied: the impact of the choice of hidden layer, the impact of applying dimensionality reduction with a manifold learning technique, as well as the choice of dissimilarity measure used to retrieve relevant word images. Extensive numerical results show that deep features lead to state-of-the-art KWS performance, even when the test and training set come from different document collections.
Deltoid Electromyography is Reliable During Submaximal Isometric Ramp Contractions.

The EMG and load relationship is commonly measured with multiple submaximal isometric contractions. This method is both time consuming and may introduce fatigue. The purpose of this study was to determine if the electromyography (EMG) amplitude from the middle deltoid was reliable during isometric ramp contractions (IRCs) at different angles of elevation and rates of force application. Surface EMG was measured at 3 shoulder elevation angles during IRCs at 4 submaximal levels of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Data were reliable in all conditions except during the rate relative to the subjects' MVC at 90° for 30% and 40% MVC. The main effect for angle on EMG amplitude was found to be significant, p < . 01. EMG at 90° was greater than at 60° (p < .017) and at 30° (p < .017). The main effect of force level on EMG amplitude was significant, p < . 01 and follow-up contrast demonstrated a significant (p < .001) linear increase of EMG amplitude with force level. We conclude that EMG amplitude from IRCs are reliable across all shoulder elevation angles and up to 40% MVC. IRCs are a feasible method for recording EMG at the deltoid.
The facilitating role of IT systems for legal compliance: the case of port community systems and container Verified Gross Mass (VGM)

ABSTRACT Regulation and competition create increasing pressure on port logistics. This paper analyzes the influence of information technology solutions during the implementation of new mandatory constraints in port operations, specifically the 2014 mandate by the International Maritime Organization on the container Verified Gross Mass (VGM) to enhance maritime and port safety operations. This research takes a multi-method approach including expert interviews to explore twenty-five case studies of VGM implementation. Expert interviews are transcribed and analyzed with cluster analysis tools to determine recurring themes and insights. Data was collected before, during, and after implementation providing a rigorous study. Findings are threefold. Firstly, the study demonstrates that VGM enforcement entails a significant change in the maritime supply chain, subjecting it to an additional mandatory compliance process in the already complex arena of port operations. Secondly, it shows that structuration of port communities through a strong digitalization of data exchange, such as Port Community Systems (PCS), made easier the transition and the compliance toward a new constraining maritime regulation. Thirdly, this work illustrates that theoretically, PCS not only have positive influence on the adoption of mandatory regulation, but also that communication channels, compatibility and infrastructure are key variables to be managed during implementation.
Immunohistochemical assessment of hormone receptor status of breast carcinoma: interobserver variation of the quick score.

BACKGROUND Immunohistochemical (IHC) assessment of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status has become a routine practice to predict the likely outcome of Tamoxifen therapy. AIMS To assess the interobserver variation in scoring hormone receptor status of breast carcinoma, using the Quick Score. MATERIALS AND METHODS IHC-stained slides of breast carcinomas reported by the two authors during a 28-month period were included in the study. Both authors independently reassessed all the tumors. Both were blinded to each other's assessment. The Quick score with a 0-8 point scale was used to score the hormone receptor status. Weighted Kappa was calculated to assess the interobserver variation. RESULTS A total of 210 breast carcinomas were included in this study. There was a substantial to almost perfect agreement between the two observers in scoring the hormone receptor status (kappa values; ER=0.856, PR=0.711). Both ER and PR showed an almost perfect agreement in assessing the intensity of staining (kappa value; ER=0.882, PR=0.840), while the scoring of proportion of cells gave lower Kappa values (kappa value; ER=0.778, PR=0.592). Interobserver agreement was less in scoring hormone receptor status of breast carcinomas after mastectomies compared with excision biopsies, wide local excisions and metastatic deposits in lymph nodes. Suboptimal fixation resulting in background staining has contributed to the variation. CONCLUSION A substantial to almost perfect interobserver agreement was seen in assigning an overall Quick score. Detection of complete negative and strong expression had a moderate to substantial agreement.
Parallel RHSEG for Hyperspectral Image Analysis Using GPUs

Power consumption and weight are important factors to be considered when building onboard hyperspectral image analysis systems. While power consumption and weight of computer clusters are hardly suitable to onboard processing systems, graphics processing units (GPUs) provide the solution. GPUs are parallel systems which can provide a high computational performance at a lower cost. In this paper, one investigates a preliminary parallel GPU-based implementation of recursive hierarchical segmentation algorithm (RHSEG), which is one of the latest image analysis techniques used by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The key aspect of RHSEG is that it combines region growing segmentation, which produces spatially connected region objects, with region object classification, which groups sets of region objects together into region classes. The proposed parallel RHSEG algorithm has been implemented using NVidia’s compute device unified architecture (CUDA). This paper shows that implementing the RHSEG algorithm on GPUs achieved an average processing speedup of 1.6 times over the sequential CPU implementation.
The balance sheet and valuation treatment of retirement living and aged care assets

Accounting standards, legislative framework and industry conventions govern how investment vehicles report their financial position. The aim is for transparent and timely reporting, enabling investors to make decisions. Australian real estate investment vehicles follow these standards, framework and conventions. Retirement Living and Aged Care (RLAC) investment vehicles are an emerging asset sector, particularly on the institutional investment market. While entities in the sector are required to follow accounting standards and legislative framework they are in a position to adopt conventions more in line with their asset sector. The RLAC sector comprises disparate property sectors, each with their own selection of asset classification and accounting treatment. Analysis of balance sheet treatment and valuations in the financial reports of Australian listed RLAC entities shows a greater reliance on directors’ (non-independent) valuations compared to listed real estate investment vehicles in conventi.
Analysis of environmental financial reporting in the Spanish toll roads sector

ABSTRACT There is a great variety of environmental financial reporting as regards content, extension and how it is included in the annual accounts. Spain and, in particular, the toll roads sector was amongst the first to be required to disclose environmental information. These concessionaires have also been affected by changes in domestic and international accounting regulation. The first objective of the paper is to analyse the quality of environmental financial reporting in the Spanish toll roads sector and its evolution after International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) implementation. The second is to compare the reporting behaviour of concessionaires with that of their parent companies. The third is to test what institutional mechanisms influence environmental disclosure. Content analysis has been applied for the period 1999–2015. Results show a minimum environmental reporting level focused merely on complying with regulation requirements, without a useful content revealing the integration of environmental issues into the companies’ management. The implementation of IFRS has not improved environmental disclosure and, in some cases, has even worsened it. In addition, under institutional theory, results show that some institutional factors (regulation and sub-sector) explain the environmental financial reporting behaviour of the companies analysed.
Structure, function and biology of tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2

Summary Tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) is a 32 kDa matrix-associated Kunitz-type serine proteinase inhibitor consisting of a short amino-terminal region, three tandem Kunitz-type domains and a positively charged carboxy-terminal tail. Human TFPI-2, previously designated as placental protein 5, inhibits a broad spectrum of serine proteinases almost exclusively through its first Kunitz-type domain, and is thought to play an important role in the regulation of extracellular matrix digestion and re-modeling. In this context, reduced synthesis of TFPI-2 has been related to numerous pathophysiological processes such as inflammation, angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, retinal degeneration and tumor growth/metastasis. In this review, we document current information regarding the expression of TFPI-2 by various tissues, its inhibitory activity and proteinase specificity in-vitro, and discuss possible physiological roles for this inhibitor based on in-vivo studies.
Outcomes in non‐metastatic colorectal cancer

The measurement of outcomes in non‐metastatic colon and rectal cancer patients is a multi‐dimensional endeavor involving prediction tools, standard of care, and best treatment guidelines. Socioeconomic, demographic, and racial impacts on outcome must be carefully considered. Consideration must also be given to measures of cost, quality, and healthcare delivery in response to initiatives meant to optimize patient health while maintaining quality of life. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:518–526. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rethinking Preschool Physical Design: Enhancing environmental stewardship among children

Children are the future guardian of the Earth. Environmental Education (EE) at preschool level is crucial for instilling environmental stewardship. This paper discusses how preschool designs can be manipulated to facilitate and enhance the EE implementation. In summary, it is suggested that preschool settings should be designed to maximise children’s interaction with nature. It not only helps to optimise children’s development and literacy but also contributes to the prediction of their intentions to appreciate and to protect the environment. Findings are useful for Malaysian policy makers and designers in designing preschools that are sustainable and support EE.Keywords: Malaysian preschool; green preschool design; children environmental behavior; environmental education.eISSN 2398-4295 © 2018. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.21834/ajbes.v3i13. 150
Phosphate levels in patients treated with low-flux haemodialysis, pre-dilution haemofiltration and haemodiafiltration: post hoc analysis of a multicentre, randomized and controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Whether convective therapies allow better control of serum phosphate (P) is still undefined, and no data are available concerning on-line haemofiltration (HF). The objectives of the study are to evaluate the effect of convective treatments (CTs) on P levels in comparison with low-flux haemodialysis (HD) and to evaluate the correlates of serum phosphate in a post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial. METHODS This analysis was performed in the database of a multicentre, open label and randomized controlled study in which 146 chronic HD patients from 27 Italian centres were randomly assigned to HD (70 patients) or CTs: on-line pre-dilution HF (36 patients) or on-line pre-dilution haemodiafiltration (40 patients). RESULTS CTs did not affect P (P = 0.526), calcium (Ca) (P = 0.849) and parathyroid hormone levels (P = 0.622). P levels were associated with the use of phosphate binders including aluminium-based phosphate binders (P < 0.001) and sevelamer (P < 0.001), pre-dialysis bicarbonate levels (P < 0.001) and pre-dialysis blood K levels (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis (generalized linear model), serum P was again largely unassociated with CTs (P = 0.631). Notably, participating centres were by far the strongest independent correlate of serum P, explaining 45.3% of the variance of serum P over the trial and this association was confirmed at multivariate analysis. Bicarbonate (P < 0.001) and, to a weaker extent, serum K (P = 0.032) were independently related to serum P. CONCLUSIONS In comparison with low-flux HD, CTs did not significantly affect serum P levels. Participating centres were the main source of P variability during the trial followed by treatment with phosphate binders, serum bicarbonate and, to a weak extent, serum potassium levels (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT011583309).
Distribution of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactive axons and terminals in the rat and ferret brainstem

A survey was made of the density of the cholinergic innervation of different parts of the brainstem of the rat and ferret. Sections of rat and ferret brainstems were stained for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity by using a sensitive immunocytochemical method. Adjacent sections were stained for acetylcholinesterase activity or Nissl substance. The density of the distribution of fine calibre, varicose ChAT‐positive axons, assumed to represent cholinergic terminals, was categorised arbitrarily into high, medium, or low. A high density of ChAT‐positive terminals was found in all or parts of these structures: interpeduncular nucleus, superficial grey layer of the superior colliculus (ferret), intermediate layers of the superior colliculus, lateral part of the central grey (rat), an area medial to the parabigeminal nucleus (rat), pontine nuclei, ventral tegmental nucleus (rat), midline pontine reticular formation, and an area ventral to the exit point of the 5th nerve (ferret). A medium density of ChAT‐positive terminals was observed in all or parts of: the substantia nigra zona compacta (ferret), ventral tegmental area (ferret), superficial grey layer of the superior colliculus, intermediate and deep layers of the superior colliculus, lateral central grey, area medial to the parabigeminal nucleus, inferior colliculus, dorsal tegmental nucleus, ventral tegmental nucleus (ferret), pontine nuclei, ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (ferret), midline pontine reticular formation, ventral cochlear nucleus, dorsal cochlear nucleus, lateral superior olive, spinal trigeminal nuclei, prepositus hypoglossal nucleus, lateral reticular nucleus, paragigantocellular nucleus, and the dorsal column nuclei including the cuneate, external cuneate, and gracile nuclei. A low density of ChAT‐positive terminals was seen throughout the remainder of the brainstem of the rat and ferret, but these terminals were absent from the medial superior olive, substantia nigra zona reticulata (rat), and the central part of the ferret lateral superior olive. A pericellular‐like distribution of ChAT‐positive terminals was observed in the ventral cochlear nucleus and in association with some of the cells of the nucleus of the mesencephalic tract of the trigeminal nerve. A climbing fibre type arrangement of ChAT‐positive terminals was found in the substantia nigra zona compacta (ferret) and medial reticular formation. In general, the distribution of staining for AChE activity reflected that of the distribution of ChAT immunoreactivity in the brainstem, except in a few regions where there were also species differences in the distribution of ChAT‐positive terminals, e.g., in the superficial grey layer of the superior colliculus and in the substantia nigra.