Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outsourcing and Innovative Activity of the Companies From the Visegrad Group

Poland Outsourcing is a change from horizontal cooperation (coopetition) to a vertical one. That is, the company, which up to now could be considered as a competitor, changes into a supplier. It is worth remembering that the company that is to become a supplier can either create a new one or be an already existing one. This article is based on empirical data coming from the companies from the Visegrád Group that is Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. The results presented here imply that outsourcing has a stimulating effect on innovative activity of a company both in terms of investment and implementation aspects. Also, innovative activity, in its investment and implementation aspects, positively influences the occurrence of outsourcing. This confirms the existence of feedback among these variables. It is worth noting however, that the probability of innovative activity among the companies using outsourcing is higher than the probability of outsourcing among the companies that are innovatively active. It seems that the influence of outsourcing on innovative activity is stronger than the influence of innovative activity on
Improving Individual Decision Making in Groups

Group decision making is often flawed, possibly because individual group members fail to pay attention to and integrate available information into their decision. This paper investigated groupware processes that provided categories for information and that required the receiver of comments to categorize the information. These processes led to increased attention to information and increased integration of information, which in turn led to improved decision quality.
Cognitive and magnetic resonance imaging aspects of corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy

Objective: To identify cognitive and MRI features important for the clinical diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP); these diseases share several clinical features and are often difficult to distinguish on clinical grounds. Methods: Cognitive functions and MRI characteristics were examined in 16 patients with CBD and 28 patients with PSP, all diagnosed according to current clinical criteria (none was examined by autopsy). Results: MRI findings differed significantly between the two groups: 87.5% of patients with CBD but none with PSP had asymmetric frontoparietal atrophy, whereas 89.3% of patients with PSP but only 6.3% of those with CBD had midbrain atrophy. Cognitive examination showed that ideomotor apraxia (De Renzi’s test) was significantly more frequent in CBD, and executive functions (Nelson’s test) were significantly more impaired in patients with PSP. Conclusions: MRI findings of asymmetric frontoparietal atrophy in CBD and midbrain atrophy in PSP are the most consistent and useful aids to careful clinical evaluation for differentiating between the two diseases.
Developing Basic and Clinical Research on von Willebrand Factor and von Willebrand Disease

Studies on von Willebrand factor (vWF) and von Willebrand disease have been conceptually linked since the latter was identified as a distinct bleeding disorder (see relevant reviews and articles in the current issue of Thromb Haemost). Obvious genetic and clinical differences indicated from the beginning that the pathogenesis of the newly recognized “angiohemophilia” was distinct from that of classic hemophilia, and implied the existence of a hitherto unknown protein important for hemostasis. Eventually, the identification and characterization of vWF facilitated the efforts to categorize the heterogeneous manifestations of von Willebrand disease. Then, the demonstration of unique molecular abnormalities in variant forms of the disease greatly aided the elucidation of how vWF participates in platelet adhesion and aggregation at sites of vascular injury. The cross-fertilization between clinical studies and basic research continues, and is now leading to a clearer structural and functional understanding of vWF. Such advances should benefit patients with congenital and acquired von Willebrand disease through improved diagnosis, classification and treatment. Moreover, a better explanation of how vWF contributes to platelet function should shed light on the pathogenetic mechanisms that cause arterial thrombosis.
The potential economic returns of converting agricultural land to forestry: An analysis of system and soil effects from 1955 to 2009.

Private land owners have been responsible for the majority of annual afforestation in Ireland since the mid-1990s, but planting rates have generally been declining since 2002. Although the decision to plant may be driven by a number of factors, the profitability of forestry as a land-use option should be an important driver and offer some insight into trends in afforestation rates. As farmers undertake most afforestation in Ireland it is important to account for the opportunity cost of lost agricultural income when analysing the financial outcome of planting. In addition, soil quality plays an essential role in dictating the productivity and profitability of both agriculture and forestry. This study examines the effects of soil quality and superseded agricultural system on the potential profitability of afforestation by farmers between 1 995 and 2009. Data from the National Farm Survey were employed to identify the annual gross margins for six agricultural systems on six soil types that differ in terms of quality. The measures of soil quality were translated into potential yield classes for forestry using an existing productivity model and Teagasc’s Forest Investment and Valuation Estimator was employed to calculate the net present value of afforestation for each of the systems and soil types. The results demonstrate how the competitiveness of forestry as a land-use option is influenced by soil quality and superseded enterprise and how forestry has become more competitive with agricultural enterprises over the period of analysis.
Antibodies to the Wheat Storage Globulin Glo-3A in Children Before and at Diagnosis of Celiac Disease

Objective: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease triggered by exposure to gluten-containing foods. IgA autoantibodies to tissue transglutaminase (TTG) are elevated in CD, but little is known about the gastrointestinal state before the appearance of TTG. Antibodies to wheat storage globulin Glo-3A have been studied in type 1 diabetes, and may be a marker of altered mucosal barrier and/or immune function. In the present study, we investigated antibody responses to Glo-3A in CD. Patients and Methods: In the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young, children were studied prospectively from birth for the appearance of TTG and CD. Fifty cases of CD were frequency matched with 50 controls on age (of TTG seroconversion in the case), sex, ethnicity, presence of a first-degree relative with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and human leukocyte antigen -DR3 genotype. In cases and controls, IgG antibodies to Glo-3A were analyzed in a blinded manner in the sample collected at the time of seroconversion to TTG positivity (or the matched sample in controls) and in all of the previous samples since birth (mean 4.5 samples). The association between Glo-3A antibody levels and CD case status was explored using t tests at the TTG-positive visit and when Glo-3A levels were highest, and mixed modeling to describe Glo-3A over time. Results: At the time of first elevated TTG (mean 4.9 years), patients with CD had higher Glo-3A antibody levels than controls (13.3 ± 17.2 vs 7.6 ± 11.7, P = 0.005). In both cases and controls, Glo-3A antibodies appear to peak at a mean age of 2.9 years, before mean age of initial TTG seroconversion. The peak Glo-3A antibody levels were higher in cases than controls (25.5 ± 21.8 vs 14.9 ± 18.3 P = 0.0007). Using mixed modeling to account for multiple visits per person, cases had higher levels of Glo-3A antibodies than controls at all ages from birth to TTG seroconversion (β = 0.53, P = 0.002). Conclusions: Compared with controls, CD cases have higher Glo-3A antibody responses in the beginning years, before initial detection of TTG.
Teenage drinking and the onset of alcohol dependence: a cohort study over seven years.

AIM To determine whether adolescent alcohol use and/or other adolescent health risk behaviour predisposes to alcohol dependence in young adulthood. DESIGN Seven-wave cohort study over 6 years. PARTICIPANT A community sample of almost two thousand individuals followed from ages 14-15 to 20-21 years. OUTCOME MEASURE Diagnostic and Statistical Manual volume IV (DSM-IV) alcohol dependence in participants aged 20-21 years and drinking three or more times a week. FINDINGS Approximately 90% of participants consumed alcohol by age 20 years, 4.7% fulfilling DSM-IV alcohol dependence criteria. Alcohol dependence in young adults was preceded by higher persisting teenage rates of frequent drinking [odds ratio (OR) 8.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.2, 16], binge drinking (OR 6.7, 95% CI 3.6, 12), alcohol-related injuries (OR 4.5 95% CI 1.9, 11), intense drinking (OR 4.8, 95% CI 2.6, 8.7), high dose tobacco use (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.3, 13) and antisocial behaviour (OR 5.9, 95% CI 3.3, 11). After adjustment for other teenage predictors frequent drinking (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.2, 7.7) and antisocial behaviour (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2, 5.1) held persisting independent associations with later alcohol dependence. There were no prospective associations found with emotional disturbance in adolescence. CONCLUSION Teenage drinking patterns and other health risk behaviours in adolescence predicted alcohol dependence in adulthood. Prevention and early intervention initiatives to reduce longer-term alcohol-related harm therefore need to address the factors, including alcohol supply, that influence teenage consumption and in particular high-risk drinking patterns.
Biosafety and Detection of Genetically Modified Organisms

Transgenic organisms, or GMOs, are organisms in which genetic material has been altered by recombinant DNA technology. Biotechnology allows the insertion of one or more genes into the genome of an organism from a different organism or species (e.g., animals, plants, viruses, bacteria); the expression of the introduced gene results in a new feature in the phenotype of the modified organism. A shortened definition of genes is that they are DNA sequences that contain the necessary information to affect phenotypic expression in an organism, such as the shape of a seed or resistance to a specific pest. The information encoded by the gene is expressed through two principal steps: transcription, in which the coding region of the DNA is copied into single-stranded RNA; and translation, in which the amino acid sequence encoded by mRNA is assembled and translated into protein. Thus, for the creation of a GMO, it is necessary to introduce the gene responsible for a particular trait into the genome of the target organism through recombinant DNA techniques.
Mismatch-tolerant, Continuous Time, Gain Enhanced Amplifiers

We describe the first ever reported continuous time, gain enhanced voltage amplifiers which are almost insensitive to mismatch of active devices. Though the proposed approach is general, as a preliminary test we have designed a voltage amplifier in a standard 0.35mum CMOS process; Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate both a significant gain enhancement and its robustness against spread of process parameters.
PENERAPAN MODEL BENEISH (1999) DAN MODEL ALTMAN (2000) DALAM PENDETEKSIAN KECURANGAN LAPORAN KEUANGAN

Financial fraud is costly and it can be done by almost everyone within (and outside of) an organization. Prevention through early detection of fraud is an important way to reduce fraud. The objective of this research is to prove whether certain models may be utilized to detect financial statement fraud. This study is using Beneish’s (1999) and Altman (2000) models to detect financial statement fraud. Two selected samples that meet with pre-determined criterion have been selected and explored. The result of the study shows that those models can be used to detect financial statement fraud.
A brand for all seasons? A discussion of brand loyalty approaches and their applicability for different markets

Seeks to enhance our understanding of the suitability of loyalty measurement techniques by proposing a classification of brand loyalty based on varying market types. Distinguishing between market types is important because the very nature of markets indicates that the measures used to capture loyalty should be very different. This paper, in effect, argues against a single brand loyalty measure for all market types. Marketing practitioners wishing to predict future levels of loyalty would need to use different loyalty measures. In consumable markets where the market is stable and where there is high switching and low involvement and risk, behavioral measures are appropriate for predicting future brand loyalty levels. However where the market is not stable, there is a propensity towards sole brands and attitudinal measures may be better predictors of future behavior in such cases.
Characterization of IgE Binding to Lupin, Peanut and Almond with Sera from Lupin-Allergic Patients

Background: The increasing number of applications of sweet lupins in food is paralleled by an increase in immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic reactions to lupin proteins. In particular, lupin allergy seems to appear in patients with an existing peanut allergy. In the present study, IgE-binding studies towards fractionated lupin seed proteins, and peanut and almond proteins were performed using sera from patients with confirmed lupin allergy. Methods:Immunoblotting and indirect ELISA were performed to investigate IgE binding to protein extracts. ELISA inhibition experiments were performed to investigate the presence of cross-reactive allergens in the protein extracts. Results: Immunoblotting and ELISA experiments demonstrated IgE binding to all lupin conglutins (α, β, γ and δ) as well as to peanut and almond proteins, with a unique IgE-binding profile for each patient. High IgE binding to α-conglutin was observed and IgE from the majority of patients similarly recognized two proteins within the α-conglutin-containing fraction, 40 and 43 kDa in size. Inhibition ELISA experiments showed that preincubation of sera with lupin conglutins, peanut and almond resulted in decreased IgE binding to lupin flour. Conclusions: Overall, these results indicate that α-, β-, γ- and δ-conglutins are candidate allergens in lupin and suggest a particularly strong allergenicity of α-conglutins. Furthermore, the results indicate the presence of cross-reactive allergens in lupin, peanut and almond.
Space and Unemployment: The Labor‐Market Effects of Spatial Mismatch

The aim of this article is to analyze the effects of housing discrimination on the wages and unemployment rates of black workers. The unemployment effect is first analyzed using a simple minimum‐wage model. An efficiency‐wage model is then adopted in order to endogenize both unemployment and wages. Under both models, suburban housing discrimination leads to a higher unemployment rate for blacks in the central city than in the suburbs. Under the efficiency‐wage model, black wages are also lower in the center. The analysis thus generates a link between unemployment and a seemingly unrelated phenomenon: racial discrimination in the housing market.
Understanding the ubiquity of self-deception: the evolutionary utility of incorrect information

When making decisions, individuals rarely possess all the facts. This can be forgiven in a world where action is time sensitive; life rarely affords the luxury of comprehending all the nuances of an environment. However, individuals do not just ignore valuable information when it is costly to acquire, individuals often ignore veridical information even when it is freely available. Instead of employing an accurate understanding of a situation, individuals frequently make decisions with the aid of ignorance and misunderstanding. This dissertation attempts to examine why. I argue against the notion that such behaviour is always caused by cognitive limitations. Instead, I demonstrate that ignoring veridical information can be advantageous in a variety of contexts. Throughout this work, I examine several settings where research has shown that individuals consistently ignore freely available information. Using a combination of formal analysis and simulations, I demonstrate that such behaviour can be advantageous. Lacking veridical knowledge can be functional in order to navigate cooperative societies (Chapter 3), unpredictable environments (Chapter 4), investment markets (Chapter 5-7), and inefficient institutions (Chapter 8). Not only does this work contribute to explaining previously confusing human behaviour, it offers insight into the potential advantages of self-deception (Chapter 2).
Sensory abnormalities and pain in Parkinson disease and its modulation by treatment of motor symptoms

Pain and sensory abnormalities are present in a large proportion of Parkinson disease (PD) patients and have a significant negative impact in quality of life. It remains undetermined whether pain occurs secondary to motor impairment and to which extent it can be relieved by improvement of motor symptoms. The aim of this review was to examine the current knowledge on the mechanisms behind sensory changes and pain in PD and to assess the modulatory effects of motor treatment on these sensory abnormalities. A comprehensive literature search was performed. We selected studies investigating sensory changes and pain in PD and the effects of levodopa administration and deep brain stimulation (DBS) on these symptoms. PD patients have altered sensory and pain thresholds in the off‐medication state. Both levodopa and DBS improve motor symptoms (i.e.: bradykinesia, tremor) and change sensory abnormalities towards normal levels. However, there is no direct correlation between sensory/pain changes and motor improvement, suggesting that motor and non‐motor symptoms do not necessarily share the same mechanisms. Whether dopamine and DBS have a real antinociceptive effect or simply a modulatory effect in pain perception remain uncertain. These data may provide useful insights into a mechanism‐based approach to pain in PD, pointing out the role of the dopaminergic system in pain perception and the importance of the characterization of different pain syndromes related to PD before specific treatment can be instituted.
MR imaging correlates of survival in patients with high-grade gliomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE For patients with malignant gliomas, clinical data-including age, perioperative Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), and tumor resection-and tumor imaging features-including necrosis and edema-have been found to correlate with survival. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of these results and determine whether other imaging features are useful in predicting survival. METHODS We analyzed the relationship between 15 imaging variables obtained from contrast-enhanced MR imaging scans and survival in patients with grade III (n = 43) and grade IV (n = 110) glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) gliomas. Image analysis was performed by 2 neuroradiologists who were blinded to clinical data. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival probabilities. Univariable Cox models were used to assess the impact of imaging features on survival. A recursive partitioning analysis also was performed. RESULTS As expected, age and KPS scores had significant prognostic value for both tumor grades. The extent of resection was not a statistically meaningful predictor of survival. For GBM, univariable analysis revealed the following imaging features to be significant, (hazard ratios in parentheses): noncontrast-enhancing tumor (nCET, 0.55), edema (1.62), satellites (1.74), and multifocality (4.34). For grade III tumors, the Cox hazard ratio for necrosis was 4.43 (P = .014) and correlated with a poor outcome and survival rates comparable to GBM patients. Lack of nCET, multifocality, and satellite lesions also were correlated with shortened survival. CONCLUSION Of 15 tumor imaging features in GBM patients, only nCET, edema, and multifocality/satellites are statistically significant prognostic indicators. The survival advantage of nCET is a novel finding.
60 GHz CMOS Wideband Differential Driving Amplifier Using Multi-Section Coupled Lines

This letter presents a 60 GHz wideband differential driving amplifier based on multi-section coupled lines (MSCL) matching network for the first time. The impedance transforming of the proposed two-port matching network is realized in a single structure. It is suitable for millimeter wave CMOS integrated circuit design since the proposed matching network eliminates the self-resonant and defected-ground problems which exist in the traditional transformer or inductor based matching networks. It provides an inherent DC-block function and is compact in size compared with the conventional transmission line based matching technique. Using the proposed network, a differential amplifier in 65 nm CMOS is designed, measured and discussed. Wideband and high gain performance is achieved.
Properties of Pacemaker Potentials Recorded from Myenteric Interstitial Cells of Cajal Distributed in the Mouse Small Intestine

Recording of electrical responses from isolated small intestine of mice using conventional microelectrodes revealed two types of potential, a pacemaker potential and a slow wave, both with rapid rising primary components and following plateau components. The rate of rise and peak amplitude were greater for pacemaker potentials than for slow waves, and the plateau component was smaller in slow waves than in pacemaker potentials. Both potentials oscillated at a similar frequency (20–30 min−1). Unitary potentials often discharged during the interval between pacemaker potentials. Infusion of Lucifer Yellow allowed visualization of the recorded cells; pacemaker potentials were recorded from myenteric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC‐MY) while slow waves were recorded from circular smooth muscle cells. Pacemaker potentials were characterized as follows: the primary component was inhibited by Ni2+, Ca2+‐free solution or depolarization with high‐K+ solution, the plateau component was inhibited by 4,4′‐diisothiocyanostilbene‐2,2′‐disulphonic acid (DIDS), an inhibitor of Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels, low [Cl−]o solution or Ca2+‐free solution, and the generation of potentials was abolished by co‐application of Ni2+and DIDS or by chelating intracellular Ca2+ with 1,2‐bis(2‐aminophenoxy)ethane‐N,N,N’,N’‐tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA‐AM). These results indicate that in the mouse small intestine ICC‐MY generate pacemaker potentials with two components in situ; the primary and plateau components may be generated by activation of voltage‐dependent Ca2+‐permeable channels and Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels, respectively. Slow waves are generated in circular smooth muscles via electrotonic spread of pacemaker potentials. These properties of intestinal pacemaker potentials are considered essentially similar to those of gastric pacemaker potentials.