Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increasing the Level of Enterprise Innovation Through Informal Learning: The Experience of Lithuanian SMEs

Innovation is one of the main factors assuring competitive advantage of the enterprises in saturated markets. How to stay innovative is a question that bothers most of the enterprises as well as SMEs as they cannot compete on mass production. We argue that one of the possible answers is lifelong and informal learning. The later one is still underestimated and requires further empirical testing. The research on informal learning and innovation has been conducted all around the world. It evaluates the time spent on informal learning, the type of learners, and the significance of innovation. The studies on SMEs argue of little attention paid to employee development in small business (Macpherson et. al, 2003; Rowden and Conine Jr, 2005). However the studies on informal learning and innovation in SMEs are not exhaustive enough: little attention is paid to managers’ informal learning, the relationship of informal learning and innovation has not been identified, significance of informal learning in SMEs is not highlighted. The research gaps are minimized in this paper. The aim of the paper is to define the relationship between informal learning and innovation in Lithuanian small and medium-sized enterprises. Empirical research conducted sending questionnaire by e-mail to the managers from SMEs in Lithuania. Analysis of 173 relevant questionnaires gathered is made, correlations between informal learning and organizational innovation calculated. Findings revealed statistically significant correlations between informal learning factors and organizational innovation in Lithuanian organizations. However the level of innovation is not high enough. The latter finding requires suggestions on innovation improvement. The research has some limitations which could be explored in further studies. The research is conducted in Lithuanian small and medium-sized enterprises. Focus is made on relationship of informal learning of managers and innovation only. Further surveys on connection between informal learning and other organizational results could complement the study. Some implications are also defined. The relationship between informal learning and organizational innovation is proven.
Compression of time in manufacturing systems

As data can be compressed, we inquire if time can also be compressed. In the context of manufacturing systems, time compression adopts such names as "concurrency" or "simultaneity". While it may be intuitively appealing that scaling (halving the size of a task, for example) should be linear (halving the time), such is not quite the case, as we have discovered. We report a quantitative explanation for the nonlinear behavior of time, as a function of the size of a task and the number of agents performing the task.
Reporting Comprehensive Income: Evidence from Malaysian ACE Market Companies

In Nov 2009, MASB released FRS 101, Presentation of Financial Statements, effective for fiscal years beginning on or after 1 January, 2010. This standard established certain rules for reporting and presenting comprehensive income in the general-purpose financial statements. FRS 101 prescribed two alternative formats for the presentation without mandating any one specific format. FRS 101 also required certain details of comprehensive income to be displayed prominently in the financial statements. The current study examined the presentation of comprehensive income by a sample of companies traded on the ACE market of the Bursa Malaysia (Malaysian Stock Exchange) to determine the predominant method of presentation among these companies, just one year after FRS 101 became effective. Using a sample of 84 non-financial companies an example of each format is provided and the choices of format made by the companies are analyzed. The study showed that 82 (98%) companies used a first format which combined the statement of net income and comprehensive income (using a single statement of comprehensive income), while only 2 (2%) companies used the second format which favored the presentation of comprehensive income in a separate statement. Sixty-three percent of the companies (32 out of 51) were negatively affected by the foreign currency translation adjustment. Further, the paper also discusses some ancillary findings pertaining to the presentation of the details of comprehensive income.
The Commercial Energy Consumer: About Whom Are We Speaking?

Who are commercial sector customers, and how do they make decisions about energy consumption and energy efficiency investment? The energy policy field has not done a thorough job of describing energy consumption in the commercial sector. First, the discussion of the commercial sector itself is dominated by discussion of large businesses/buildings. Second, discussion of this portion of the commercial sector s consumption behavior is driven primarily by theory, with very little field data collected on the way commercial sector decision-makers describe their own options, choices, and reasons for taking action. These limitations artificially constrain energy policy options. This paper reviews the extant literature on commercial sector energy consumption behavior and identifies gaps in our knowledge. In particular, it argues that the primary energy policy model of commercial sector energy consumption is a top-down model that uses macro-level investment data to make conclusions about commercial behavior. Missing from the discussion is a model of consumption behavior that builds up to a theoretical framework informed by the micro-level data provided by commercial decision-makers themselves. Such a bottom-up model could enhance the effectiveness of commercial sector energy policy. In particular, translation of some behavioral models from the residential sector to the commercial sector may offer new opportunities for policies to change commercial energy consumption behavior. Utility bill consumption feedback is considered as one example of a policy option that may be applicable to both the residential and small commercial sector.
A Public-Key Cryptosystem Based on Lucas Sequences

Based on Lucas functions, an improved version of Diffie-hellman key distribution, El Gamal public key crypto-system scheme and El Gamal signature scheme are proposed, together with an implementation and com- putational cost. The security relies on the difficulty of factoring an RSA integer and on the difficulty of computing the discrete logarithm.
Formal Object Interaction Language: Modeling and Verification of Sequential and Concurrent Object-Oriented Software

As software systems become larger and more complex, developers require the ability to model abstract concepts while ensuring consistency across the entire project. The internet has changed the nature of software by increasing the desire for software deployment across multiple distributed platforms. Finally, increased dependence on technology requires assurance that designed software will perform its intended function. This thesis introduces the Formal Object Interaction Language (FOIL). FOIL is a new object-oriented modeling language specifically designed to address the cumulative shortcomings of existing modeling techniques. FOIL graphically displays software structure, sequential and concurrent behavior, process, and interaction in a simple unified notation, and has an algebraic representation based on a derivative of the -calculus. The thesis documents the technique in which FOIL software models can be mathematically verified to anticipate deadlocks, ensure consistency, and determine object state reachability. Scalability is offered through the concept of behavioral inheritance; and, FOIL s inherent support for modeling concurrent behavior and all known workflow patterns is demonstrated. The concepts of process achievability, process complete achievability, and process determinism are introduced with an algorithm for simulating the execution of a FOIL object model using a FOIL process model. Finally, a technique for using a FOIL process model as a constraint on FOIL object system execution is offered as a method to ensure that object-oriented systems modeled in FOIL will complete their processes based activities. FOIL s capabilities are compared and contrasted with an extensive array of current software modeling techniques. FOIL is ideally suited for data-aware, behavior based systems such as interactive or process management software. INDEX WORDS: object-orientation, Formal Object Interaction Language (FOIL), concurrency, -calculus, process verification, behavioral inheritance, formal methods FORMAL OBJECT INTERACTION LANGUAGE: MODELING AND VERIFICATION OF SEQUENTIAL AND CONCURRENT OBJECT-ORIENTED SOFTWARE
Hearing aids for Ménière's syndrome: implications of hearing fluctuation.

BACKGROUND Hearing fluctuation imposes the biggest challenge in the fitting of hearing aids for patients with Ménière's syndrome. PURPOSE This study shows that the problem maybe be overcome by allowing the patients to test their own hearing and to program their own hearing aids to adjust for hearing fluctuation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND STUDY SAMPLE: A group of 40 participants diagnosed with Ménère's syndrome were fitted with Widex Senso Diva hearing aids and were provided with a portable Senso Programmer 3 (SP3) that allowed them to measure their own hearing thresholds at up to 14 different frequencies and to program their own devices. INTERVENTION The participants were instructed to test their hearing three times a day for 8 weeks and to program their hearing aids according to the measured thresholds. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS All participants recorded some degree of hearing fluctuation during the 8-week trial. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Among participants, 70 percent continued to program their hearing aids on a regular basis and reported great satisfaction with amplification because they are now able to adjust their own devices when their hearing fluctuates.
Familial mutations in PMS2 can cause autosomal dominant hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by familial mutations in some of the genes responsible for DNA mismatch repair. Mutations in the MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6 genes have been documented in this disorder, but there have been limited and conflicting data about the role of another mismatch repair gene, PMS2. It has recently been suggested that mutations in the PMS2 gene do not cause an autosomal dominant disorder. In addition, mutations in each of these 4 mismatch repair genes have been shown to cause an autosomal recessive cancer syndrome in children that is distinct from hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. We reviewed a cohort of patients for evidence of an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a mutation in the PMS2 gene. METHODS A cohort of tumor samples from patients with features suggestive of HNPCC was tested for microsatellite instability, the molecular hallmark of HNPCC, and exclusive loss of expression of the PMS2 gene in tumor tissue. RESULTS A kindred was identified with autosomal dominant HNPCC due to a familial loss-of-function mutation in the PMS2 gene. This is the first description of such a kindred. CONCLUSION Mutations in the PMS2 gene can, like mutations in other mismatch repair genes, cause both autosomal dominant HNPCC in adults and an autosomal recessive cancer syndrome in children.
Fundamental study on a perturbed patch antenna on small ground plane aimed at multi polarization and matching stability on WBAN applications

Characteristics of antennas and propagation channels in on-body communications have been ascertained. Earlier studies indicated that not only maximization of path loss between body-mounted devises by use of monopole-like antennas but also countermeasures against fading by use of multi polarization antennas may be an important issue. Multi polarization can be obtained by perturbing the patch antennas. That is well known as circularly polarized patch antennas. In this paper, a perturbed patch antenna on a small ground plane in vicinity of the human body is characterized for some purposes such as challenge for co-existence of antenna and the human body rather than shutting out the body effects. Specifically, variation of input impedance, axial ratio, radiation efficiency, and radiation pattern of the antenna are evaluated by use of numerical calculation.
Motives and Barriers in the Field of Cooperation between Companies. Research Outcomes Based on the Polish Engineering Industry

Polish firms need to improve their performance in order to be more competitive internationally. As theoretical concepts of firm international competitiveness underline the importance of external sources of competitive advantage, empirical studies on firms cooperation may bring significant insight into this field. This paper presents theoretical foundations of firms' motives to form business partnerships and barriers to partnership relations. It is based on results of the study on cooperation of 155 Polish firms from the engineering sector.
Drosophila duplicate genes evolve new functions on the fly

Gene duplication is thought to play a key role in phenotypic innovation. While several processes have been hypothesized to drive the retention and functional evolution of duplicate genes, their genomic contributions have never been determined. We recently developed the first genome-wide method to classify these processes by comparing distances between expression profiles of duplicate genes and their ancestral single-copy orthologs. Application of our approach to spatial gene expression profiles in two Drosophila species revealed that a majority of young duplicate genes possess new functions, and that new functions are acquired rapidly—often within a few million years. Surprisingly, new functions tend to arise in younger copies of duplicate gene pairs. Moreover, we found that young duplicates are often specifically expressed in testes, whereas old duplicates are broadly expressed across several tissues, providing strong support for the hypothetical “out-of-testes” origin of new genes. In this Extra View, I discuss our findings in the context of theoretical predictions about gene duplication, with a particular emphasis on the importance of natural selection in the evolution of novel phenotypes.
rTraceroute: Réunion Traceroute Visualisation

Traceroute is the main tools to explore Internet path. It provides limited information about each node along the path. However, Traceroute cannot go further in statistics analysis, or \emph{Man-Machine Interface (MMI)}. Indeed, there are no graphical tool that is able to draw all paths used by IP routes. We present a new tool that can handle more than 1,000 Traceroute results, map them, identify graphically MPLS links, get information of usage of all routes (in percent) to improve the knowledge between countries' links. rTraceroute want to go deeper in usage of atomic traces. In this paper, we will discuss the concept of rTraceroute and present some example of usage.
Three Demonstrations ON CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS OF PALATE, FACE, AND NECK

day and beein discarded, but not so the isolation and its concomitants. This probably is the result of -the blind acceptance of principles founded on religious belief. And the question naturally arises, Is there more reason for the latter than the former? Are the fads of Mauriceau or Diones any worse or based on any less secure foundation than the fetish of a despotic priesthood ? Are we as a progressive profession blindly to accept the practice of the latter merely on account of its antiquity or its religious origin, without any investigation from a scientific aspect ? Surely not I It is in this attitude I have ventured to bring this important subject before the society for discussion. I know I am sailing in dangerous proximity to an explosive mine loaded with tradition, prejudice, and superstition, the products of an ancient mystic empiricism, and sentiment; but I feel if one's armour be truly tempered with the modern improvements of physical and physiological science and practical experience, its most violent explosion can only result in a passing noise. Changes in ancient customs, like hereditary attributes, are difflcult to vary, andnmust be slowly attempted. The profession and the public cannot be expected suddenly to alter the teachings of their childhood. The instant adoption of a reformation such as I propose cannot be expected. Like the breaking of morphine or other habits, i-t must be gradual; but I feel convinced, both from practical proof and scientific reasoning, that a great change is bound to come in our treatment of puerperal women. Unless there is valid reason founded on a scientific and practical basis, it seems to me unbefitting of a learned profession such as ours to condemn them to an enforced tedious convalescence, the whole object of which resolves itself into the maintenance of an ancient mystic custom of so-called "cleansing. " Theoretically it rests only on precept founded on empiricism; practically it has no foundation whataver, so far as my experience shows. It is a subject the importance of which cannot be overestimated. It demands mature consideration from a rational aspect. I feel, therefore, that no apology is required for bringing it before the society for serious discussion.
Beyond journalism: Theorizing the transformation of journalism

Journalism has enjoyed a rich and relatively stable history of professionalization. Scholars coming from a variety of disciplines have theorized this history, forming a consistent body of knowledge codified in national and international handbooks and canonical readers. However, recent work and analysis suggest that the supposed core of journalism and the assumed consistency of the inner workings of news organizations are problematic starting points for journalism studies. In this article, we challenge the consensual (self-)presentation of journalism – in terms of its occupational ideology, its professional culture, and its sedimentation in routines and organizational structures (cf. the newsroom) in the context of its reconfiguration as a post-industrial, entrepreneurial, and atypical way of working and of being at work. We outline a way beyond individualist or institutional approaches to do justice to the current complex transformation of the profession. We propose a framework to bring together these approaches in a dialectic attempt to move through and beyond journalism as it has traditionally been conceptualized and practiced, allowing for a broader definition and understanding of the myriad of practices that make up journalism.
Cryotherapy in sports medicine

The use of cryotherapy, i.e. the application of cold for the treatment of injury or disease, is widespread in sports medicine today. It is an established method when treating acute soft tissue injuries, but there is a discrepancy between the scientific basis for cryotherapy and clinical studies. Various methods such as ice packs, ice towels, ice massage, gel packs, refrigerant gases and inflatable splints can be used. Cold is also used to reduce the recovery time as part of the rehabilitation programme both after acute injuries and in the treatment of chronic injuries. Cryotherapy has also been shown to reduce pain effectively in the post‐operative period after reconstructive surgery of the joints. Both superficial and deep temperature changes depend on the method of application, initial temperature and application time. The physiological and biological effects are due to the reduction in temperature in the various tissues, together with the neuromuscular action and relaxation of the muscles produced by the application of cold. Cold increases the pain threshold, the viscosity and the plastic deformation of the tissues but decreases the motor performance. The application of cold has also been found to decrease the inflammatory reaction in an experimental situation. Cold appears to be effective and harmless and few complications or side‐effects after the use of cold therapy are reported. Prolonged application at very low temperatures should, however, be avoided as this may cause serious side‐effects, such as frost‐bite and nerve injuries. Practical applications, indications and contraindications are discussed.
ANGPTL8 requires ANGPTL3 to inhibit lipoprotein lipase and plasma triglyceride clearance[S]

Angiopoietin-like (ANGPTL)3 and ANGPTL8 are secreted proteins and inhibitors of LPL-mediated plasma triglyceride (TG) clearance. It is unclear how these two ANGPTL proteins interact to regulate LPL activity. ANGPTL3 inhibits LPL activity and increases serum TG independent of ANGPTL8. These effects are reversed with an ANGPTL3 blocking antibody. Here, we show that ANGPTL8, although it possesses a functional inhibitory motif, is inactive by itself and requires ANGPTL3 expression to inhibit LPL and increase plasma TG. Using a mutated form of ANGPTL3 that lacks LPL inhibitory activity, we demonstrate that ANGPTL3 activity is not required for its ability to activate ANGPTL8. Moreover, coexpression of ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL8 leads to a far more efficacious increase in TG in mice than ANGPTL3 alone, suggesting the major inhibitory activity of this complex derives from ANGPTL8. An antibody to the C terminus of ANGPTL8 reversed LPL inhibition by ANGPTL8 in the presence of ANGPTL3. The antibody did not disrupt the ANGPTL8:ANGPTL3 complex, but came in close proximity to the LPL inhibitory motif in the N terminus of ANGPTL8. Collectively, these data show that ANGPTL8 has a functional LPL inhibitory motif, but only inhibits LPL and increases plasma TG levels in mice in the presence of ANGPTL3.
Optimized BlaM‐transposon shuttle mutagenesis of Helicobacter pylori allows the identification of novel genetic loci involved in bacterial virulence

Helicobacter pylori is an important etiologic agent of gastroduodenal disease in humans. In this report, we describe a general genetic approach for the identification of genes encoding exported proteins in H. pylori. The novel TnMax9 mini‐blaM transposon was used for insertion mutagenesis of a H. pylori gene library established in Escherichia coli. A total of 192 E. coli clones expressing active β‐lactamase fusion proteins (BlaM+) were obtained, indicating that the corresponding target plasmids carry H. pylori genes encoding putative extracytoplasmic proteins. Natural transformation of H. pylori P1 or P12 using the 192 mutant plasmids resulted in 135 distinct H. pylori mutant strains (70%). Screening of the H. pylori collection of mutant strains allowed the identification of mutant strains impaired in motility, in natural transformation competence and in adherence to gastric epithelial cell lines. Motility mutants could be grouped into distinct classes: (i) mutant strains lacking the major flagellin subunit FlaA and intact flagella (class I); (ii) mutant strains with apparently normal flagella, but reduced motility (class II), and (iii) mutant strains with obviously normal flagella, but completely abolished motility (class III). Two independent mutations that exhibited defects in natural competence for genetic transformation mapped to different genetic loci. In addition, two independent mutant strains were isolated by their failure to bind to the human gastric carcinoma cell line Katoill. Both mutant strains carried a transposon in the same gene, 0.8 kb apart, and showed decreased autoagglutination when compared to the wild‐type strain.