Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inductively coupled argon plasma as an ion source for mass spectrometric determination of trace elements

Solution aerosols are injected into an inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP) to generate a relativly high number density of positive ions derived from elemental constituents. A small fraction of these ions is extracted through a sampling orifice into a differentially pumped vacuum system housing an ion lens and quadrupole mass spectrometer. The positive ion mass spectrum obtained during nebulization of a typical solvent (1% HNO/sub 3/ in H/sub 2/O) consists mainly of ArH/sup +/, Ar/sup +/, H/sub 3/O/sup +/, H/sub 2/O/sup +/, NO/sup +/, O/sub 2//sup +/, HO/sup +/, Ar/sub 2//sup +/, Ar/sub 2/H/sup +/, and Ar/sup 2 +/. The mass spectra of the trace elements studied consist principally of singly charged monatomic (M/sup +/) or oxide (MO/sup +/) ions in the correct relative isotopic abundances. Analytical calibration curves obtained in an integration mode show a working range covering nearly 4 orders of magnitude with detection limits of 0.002 to 0.06 . mu.g/mL for those elements studied. This approach offers a direct means of performing trace elemental and isotopic determinations on solutions by mass spectrometry.
The Influence of Dialysate Sampling on Peritoneal Equilibration Test Results

The peritoneal equilibration test (PET), which is the international standard for peritoneal equilibration curves, provides important information for an efficient dialysis prescription and for monitoring peritoneal characteristics (1,2). Different protocols exist for the PET regarding glucose concentrations, dwell times, number of samples, and sampling technique (1-5). The latter two factors have a quantitative influence on the abdominal contents during the test, which may influence results. The aim of this study is to check comparability between PETs performed with different sampling methods.
Financial Distress Signaling & Corporate Social Responsibility

IN the wake if the most recent global financial crisis, a large number of companies in United States, Europe and Japan have gone bankrupt, whereas many others have resorted to bankruptcy protection measures. Many of these companies were never thought to be vulnerable to bankruptcies or forced liquidations. In this context, it is becoming more and more pertinent and significant to study the early signs of financial distress and looming bankruptcy. Financial distress and consequent business failure is no more a phenomenon peculiar to small and medium enterprises; rather companies of all sizes are failing causing enormous economic and social problems to the society. Neither investors nor the business managers can afford to ignore any possibility of unexpected business failure; hence they are always looking for a reliable indicator of the financial health or otherwise of the business. This situation brings into focus a rather important issue i.e. handling of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by businesses and the industries, especially the financial industry. Inability of businesses, industries and regulatory institutions to safeguard the interests of stakeholders by not informing and warning them of the crisis in the making is evident beyond any doubt. In this paper we bring into focus the clear nexus that exists between early warning systems (EWSs) and CSR. We shall attempt to point out that EWSs are not only a mere financial indicator for interested investors, rather they, if properly developed and relayed, have an important bearing upon how effectively CSR is disposed off.
Expression of endogenous heme oxygenase on surface of placental trophoblasts of pregnant women with intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus.

OBJECTIVE To examine endogenous heme oxygenase (HO) expression on the surface of placental trophoblasts of pregnant women who had a fetus with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), so as to explore the pathogenesis of IUGR. METHODS Immunohistochemical method were used to detect the expression of HO-1 in idiopathic IUGR patients (IUGR group), patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) complicated by IUGR (PIH+IUGR group) and normal pregnant women (control group) with specific HO antibody. Quantitative analysis was conducted to determine the quantity of HO. RESULT The staining areas of HO-1 in IUGR group (64.27+/-10.59 micrometer(2)) and PIH+IUGR group (61.54+/-10.59 micrometer(2)) were significantly lower than that of control group (96.56+/-15.23 micrometer(2), P<0.01), but there was no significant differences between the former 2 groups. CONCLUSION Abnormal reduction in endogenous HO on the surface of placental trophoblasts may be one of the important mechanisms for the onset of IUGR.
Classic Spotlight: Discovery of ftsZ

Cytokinesis (cell division, fission, and septation) in bacteria is driven by a ring-shaped organelle containing dozens of distinct proteins. Among these, FtsZ plays preeminent roles in assembly and function of the organelle. FtsZ is also the first recognized cytoskeletal protein in prokaryotes and the likely progenitor of the tubulins. The discovery of ftsZ was inherently important. It also nicely illustrated the power of classic bacterial and phage genetics, including the ability to clone genes without ever purifying DNA (1). Much of what we now know about the division process is based on early work with Escherichia coli. One important aim in the 1960s was to understand why and how DNA damage causes cells to grow into long filaments with a (usually) transient inability to divide. This inspired Piet van de Putte and colleagues to start the search for genes involved in the division process by isolating mutants that readily passed a 5m filter after growth at 30°C but failed to do so after growth at 42°C due to a division defect. He coined these genes fts, for filamentous growth is thermosensitive (2). In the next decade, other groups isolated additional mutants and began to fine-map fts mutations on the E. coli chromosome. By the end of the 1970s, it was clear that the 2-min region contains several genes involved in murein synthesis (ddl and murC, murE, and murF) and envelope permeability (envA or lpxC) and at least two fts genes, ftsA and ftsI (also called sep and pbpB). Around this time in Willie Donachie’s lab in Edinburgh, Joe Lutkenhaus succeeded in isolating specialized transducing phages carrying the ftsA region. He used these to detect the FtsA protein for the first time (3) and to set the stage for a classic paper published in the Journal of Bacteriology (1). In the study, the authors isolated mutant [ftsA(Ts)] and deletion derivatives of ftsAtransducing phages and used these to determine if a subset of established fts strains could all be corrected by wild-type ftsA or if perhaps additional fts genes reside near ftsA on the chromosome. Several of the original van de Putte strains turned out to indeed carry temperature-sensitive alleles of ftsA. However, strain PAT84 from Francois Jacob’s lab was shown not to carry ftsA(Ts), as previously assumed (4), but to be affected instead in a novel gene located between ftsA and lpxC. As the alphabet was being usurped by sometimes questionable fts assignations in a confusing literature, naming the gene ftsZ was a safe bet (1). Evidence that it was of special importance followed soon after with the discoveries by Lutkenhaus and others that FtsZ is a direct target of the SOS response to DNA damage (solving the old riddle) and that an increase in FtsZ concentration leads cells to form extra septa. Of course, numerous studies have firmly established the central roles of FtsZ in the fission process since.
Time-delay estimation for sub-sampling sinusoidal signals

For the problem of time-delay estimation for sub-sampling sinusoidal signals, the paper proposes a novel method composed of multi-period sampling and multi-layer correlation. This method can reduce the complexity of estimation and improve the range of time-delay estimation and its stability. It also has an excellent performance to reduce the effect of noise and interference. The important contribution of this new method is that it adapts to high frequency (HF) signal processing, such as in radar, electronic warfare (EW), etc. It accelerates the digital receiver realization of an HF system. Simulations show the performance and obvious advantage of the new method.
Rank deficiency gradient-based iterations for generalized coupled Sylvester matrix equations

In this paper, by constructing an objective function and using the gradient search, three gradient-based iterations are established for solving generalized coupled Sylvester matrix equations, when the related matrices are full-column rank, full-row rank or rank deficiency. It is proved that these three gradient-based iterative algorithms are convergent for any initial iterative values. By analyzing the spectral radius of the iterative matrices, we study the convergence properties and determine the optimal convergence factors of these iterations. We discuss the connection between the full-row rank iteration and the rank deficiency iteration. By using this connection, the computational efficiency increases greatly for a class of matrix equations. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms and testify the proposed conclusions in this paper.
The future of purchasing and supply: A ten-year forecast1

SUMMARY The purpose of this research was the development of the 10-year forecasts for purchasing and supply based upon a close examination of key change drivers. The authors aimed at highlighting the most important areas of concern for purchasing executives. The research included trends of importance for organizations of all sizes, in all major industries — profit and nonprofit, private and public. To this end, the research team: • Identified the major economic, demographic, societal, competitive, and technological trends most likely to have major implications for the purchasing and supply management profession, its professionals, and organizationalprocesses • Projected the identified trends for 10 years (2008) • Determined the impact of these trends on purchasing and supply executives • Forecasted the environment for purchasing and supply in 10 years (2008) • Projected the changes to the purchasing and supply profession, its professionals, and organizational processes implied as a result of the research
TRANSACTION COST AND THE SMALL STOCK PUZZLE: THE IMPACT OF OUTLIERS IN THE NYSE

In this article we study the effect of transaction costs on asset prices. We examine the characteristics of the actual extreme performers (Outliers), their stock prices, and transactions cost and link them to firm size. The analyses is based on data from the COMPUSTAT tapes with valid data for the bid and ask prices and the CRSP samples of all firms listed in the NYSE, AMEX, and NASDAQ during the period 1970-2000. Once transaction costs are taken into account, no positive abnormal returns are found for small firms. Transaction costs account fully for both the abnormality and the recent size discountability.
Detection of coronary artery disease and the role of traditional risk factors in the Hopkins Lupus Cohort

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE, including the Hopkins Lupus Cohort. Currently, 9% of the cohort have had clinical evidence (angina or myocardial infarction) of CAD. In our initial prospective study we found that duration of prednisone, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity were risk factors for later CAD. We can now extend that list to include age, male sex, elevated homocysteine, renal insufficiency and antiphospholipid antibodies. Many of the risk factors are amenable to intervention, but the timing of intervention, and the effectiveness of intervention, must be determined.
Design and implementation of EEG measuring system

Electroencephalographs (EEG) is a technique commonly used in medical and research fields to record the electrical activities of the brain. The EEG signals are recorded from the surface of the scalp using Ag/AgCl electrodes (locally made) according to the 10-20 international system. Measurements are usually difficult due to small signal magnitude and large DC offset. The signal is amplified in multistage amplifier and digitized using 24-bit analog to digital convertor (ADC). The DC-offset was treated using auto-zeroing technique, along with the use of high precision electronic components. The theoretical design was first simulated using TINA-TI software, then the PCB's were designed using Eagle software, and implemented practically. EEG signals were acquired and recorded for different people and it seems satisfactory for the diagnosis by doctors.
Mutant Gene That Changes Protein Composition and Increases Lysine Content of Maize Endosperm

Preliminary tests have shown that the endosperms of maize seeds homozygous for the opaque-2 mutant gene have a higher lysine content than normal kernels. As a critical test, a backcross progeny was divided into opaque-2 and normal kernels, the endosperms separated, and the amino acids determined. The opaque-2 endosperms had a different amino acid pattern and 69 percent more lysine than the normal seeds. The major reason for these changes is the synthesis of proteins with a greater content of basic amino acids in the acid-soluble fraction of the mutant endosperm. This is accompanied by a reduction in the ratio of zein to glutelin.
Brand Experience in Education

Education is one of the non-profit organization, but lately education is one of good business and deserved to be developed into profit orgnization. This pheomenon is proven with the development of many famous and branded school in Semarang, Indonesia such as Dominico, Loyola, Hidayatullah, Marsudirini, Nasima, etc. Therefore. there are many people who organize private school individually as a business; so, the objective of school has been moved from non-profit oriented to profit oriented.Because of the number of schools in Semarang City, the competition between schools to get customers is very difficult. There are so many effort conducted by the school management to get customers for example make an advertisement, education fair, promotion, etc. Based on the advertisement, promotion and every influence from school management to customers, it will make customers choose a school they like. Based on the above problem, the researcher wants to make a research regarding with the brand experience in education. The objective of this research is to find the brand experience for education customers.
A comparison of properties of the alpha-lytic protease of Sorangium sp. and porcine elastase.

The comparison is between a pancreatic and a bacterial serine protease with similar specificities, similar sequences around their catalytically functional serine and histidine residues, and with certain notable similarities in amino acid composition.The two enzymes match one another in the following respects, (a) kc depends on an ionization with a pKa of approximately 6.7 in H2O and 7.2 in 2H2O; kc/Km is reduced by 50% when H2O is replaced by 2H2O; the data are consistent with general basic catalysis by a single, unprotonated histidine residue. (b) Km is independent of pH from pH 5 to 10.5; optical rotation is independent of pH over the same range. (c) Neither enzyme is inhibited by the chloromethyl ketones derived from N-tosylglycine and N-tosyl-L-valine or by the bromomethyl ketone derived from N-tosyl-L-valine.Both enzymes have elastolytic activity and both have lytic activity towards Arthrobacter globiformis cells, but elastase has the higher elastolytic activity and the α-enzyme the higher bacterioly.
Women's Participation in ‘a Boys’ Club’: A Case Study of a Regional Trades and Labour Council

ABSTRACT Women's increasing participation in the workforce is not reflected in increasing participation in trade union organisations. For those few women who participate in trade union organisations, little attention has been paid to how they participate. This article addresses this gap by exploring how women participate in a Trades and Labour Council. Furthermore, it assesses whether women's participation in any way changes the structure of the organisation to be more representative of the gendered workforce.
Recording and reporting pesticide use in the onion and brassica industries.

Understanding how growers monitor their own pesticide use helps determine the most appropriate tools for recordkeeping. To investigate pesticide recording and reporting in the onion and brassica industries, a telephone survey of 122 farmers was conducted in July 2008. Most respondents were recording pesticide use (n=118, 97%). There were significant differences between domestic- and export-focussed growers. Export-focussed growers were more likely to have electronic systems for recording pesticide use and were more likely to use the information for calculating and reducing production costs. Approximately 90% of growers indicated that records were useful to help meet regulatory requirements and provide information for residue or spray drift queries. The ability to trace pesticide use to individual properties was considered important by 90% of growers as long as there was industry control over access to that information. These results have implications for the design and implementation of Decision Support Systems for pesticide use.
Two novel methods for using genome sequences to infer taxonomy.

Next generation sequencing (NGS) is catalysing a host of new developments across microbiology. Two papers recently published in Microbiology (Jolley et al., 2012; Bennett et al., 2012) describe methods that exploit NGS genome data to classify bacterial genomes based on core gene sequences. In general, these methods agree with 16S rRNA phylogenetic trees, but the novel methods have the added advantage of providing strain resolution within a given species. Furthermore, these approaches are scalable for large numbers of genomes, do not depend on a reference genome and can use as input genomes from different formats: finished sequences or genome assemblies in multiple contigs. Both papers focus on a set of ‘core genes’ to use; 53 genes encoding ribosomal proteins in the case of ribosomal multilocus sequence typing (rMLST; Jolley et al., 2012) or a set of core genes defined through comparative genomics (Bennett et al., 2012).
Discretionary corporate social responsibility: introducing the GREENER VENUE

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual comparative framework measuring the implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the UK conference sector.Design/methodology/approach – A self‐administered internet‐based survey was conducted to examine the implementation of ten environmental policy initiatives, expressed by the acronym “GREENER”, using a CSR response scale, expressed by the acronym “VENUE”. Findings – The greatest proportion of UK venues can be classified as “Eager”, with a quarter of respondents being deemed as “Unmotivated” or in “Eternal denial” regarding their implementation of CSR. It was also found that both size of venue space and venue type have significant effects on the level of CSR implementation.Research limitations/implications – Environmental performance indicators are not the only components of CSR, there are others, including social, economic and ethical. Further research may expand the framework from a uni‐dimensional environmental framework .
Augmented Reality for Rehabilitation of Cognitive Disabled Children: A Preliminary Study

We have designed a non-immersive recreational and educational augmented reality application (ARVe - Augmented Reality applied to Vegetal field) that allows young children to handle 2D and 3D plant entities in a simple and intuitive way. This application involves a task of pairing and provides visual, olfactory or auditory cues to help children in decision making. 93 children from a French elementary school (including 11 cognitive disabled ones) participated in a preliminary study. The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate children performance and behaviour in using AR techniques, and (2) to examine specific attitudes of cognitive disabled children confronted to such techniques. We have observed that disabled children were very enthusiastic when using the application and showed a high motivation compared to most other pupils. Moreover, autistic and trisomic children were able to express some positive emotions when confronted to the application. These very encouraging results promote a widespread use of such tools for cognitive disabled children.
Role of the MRP1/ABCC1 Multidrug Transporter Protein in Cancer

Multidrug resistance is a major obstacle to cancer treatment and leads to poor prognosis for the patient. Multidrug resistance‐associated protein 1 (MRP1) transports a wide range of therapeutic agents as well as diverse physiological substrates and may play a role in the development of drug resistance in several cancers including those of the lung, breast and prostate, as well as childhood neuroblastoma. The majority of patients with neuroblastoma present with widely disseminated disease at diagnosis and despite intensive treatment, the prognosis for such patients is dismal. There is increasing evidence that MRP1 is a MYCN target gene involved in the development of multidrug resistance in neuroblastoma. Given the importance of MRP1 overexpression in neuroblastoma, MRP1 inhibition may be a clinically relevant approach to improving patient outcome in this disease.
Usage, Barriers, and Training of Web 2.0 Technology Applications

R and Kotrlik (2004) described how the traditional learner would listen to a class lecture, take notes, and prepare for a written test. This type of traditional environment does not prepare the learner for the contemporary work world that exists today. Technology enhanced learning environments prepare students with the knowledge and skill needed for success in the twenty-first century. Employers are hiring employees who are dependable, educated, able to reason, communicate, problem solve, and are technologically savvy (Lam, 2007). Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs should strive to maintain the commitment for educating students to become competent individuals in the twenty-first century workforce. Hosler and Meggison (2008) suggested that transformations are inevitable and will occur in course content and delivery methods, but the dual objectives of providing education for occupational skill and economic competence have always been and should remain top priority. Bruett (2006) recommended that it is vital that students are prepared to be competitive in the global economy, an economy that would not be possible without current technology.
Application-based Classification and Comparison of Secure Routing Protocols in Wireless Sensor Networks: A Survey

Wireless Sensor Networks is an emergent field in computer network domains, and routing plays a key role in every wireless sensor network. In a wireless sensor network, an adversary can disturb the entire network by attacking routing services. These attacks are relatively easy to deploy against a wireless sensor network as opposed to traditional wired networks, because of the unattended nature of the deployment of sensor nodes. In the case of wireless sensor networks, the compromised routing messages result in the diffusion of incorrect routing information, which can disrupt network behavior. When considering these realities, securing a routing protocol is a key objective of every wireless sensor network. In this paper, we analyze different secure routing protocols and do a comprehensive survey in terms of their application areas, key distribution schemes, authentication schemes, basic security requirements, and their defense against different attacks. To make our survey more precise, we categorized the secure routing protocols into four groups: secure data-centric, secure hierarchical, secure location-based, and secure quality-of-service routing protocols. All secure routing protocols discussed in this survey paper fall under these four categories.