Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Operational effectiveness and strategic flexibility: scales for performance assessment of new product development systems

Many firms attribute a central role to their New Product Development (NPD) function, in speeding up time to market, improving product quality, increasing manufacturing efficiency, building core competence and increasing innovative ability, often all within one and the same NPD system. This balancing of short-term operational effectiveness and longer-term strategic flexibility requires accurate insight in NPD performance on both dimensions. This paper reports on the operationalisation of these constructs based on NPD success literature, using a subdivision in product concept effectiveness and NPD process effectiveness. A validation test of the subjective scales shows good reliability results. Preliminary analysis of test results (n = 29) seems to point at firms trying to both exploit and explore by adapting the NPD process, and the building of dynamic capabilities.
Discriminatory power of water polo game-related statistics at the 2008 Olympic Games

Abstract The aims of this study were (1) to compare water polo game-related statistics by context (winning and losing teams) and sex (men and women), and (2) to identify characteristics discriminating the performances for each sex. The game-related statistics of the 64 matches (44 men's and 20 women's) played in the final phase of the Olympic Games held in Beijing in 2008 were analysed. Unpaired t-tests compared winners and losers and men and women, and confidence intervals and effect sizes of the differences were calculated. The results were subjected to a discriminant analysis to identify the differentiating game-related statistics of the winning and losing teams. The results showed the differences between winning and losing men's teams to be in both defence and offence, whereas in women's teams they were only in offence. In men's games, passing (assists), aggressive play (exclusions), centre position effectiveness (centre shots), and goalkeeper defence (goalkeeper-blocked 5-m shots) predominated, whereas in women's games the play was more dynamic (possessions). The variable that most discriminated performance in men was goalkeeper-blocked shots, and in women shooting effectiveness (shots). These results should help coaches when planning training and competition.
Reverse program calculation supported by code slicing

This paper sketches a discipline for reverse engineering which combines formal and semi-formal methods. Among the former is the "algebra of programming", which we apply in "reverse order" so as to reconstruct formal specifications of legacy code. The latter includes code slicing, used as a means of trimming down the complexity of handling the formal semantics of all program variables at the same time. A strong point of the approach is its constructive style. Reverse calculations go as far as imploding auxiliary variables, introducing mutual recursion (if applicable) and transforming semantic functions into standard generic programming schemata such as cata/paramorphisms. We illustrate the approach by reversing a piece of code (from C to Haskell) already studied in the code-slicing literature: the word-count (wc) program.
Temporal Partitioning and Scheduling Data Flow Graphs for Reconfigurable Computers

FPGA-based configurable computing machines are evolving rapidly. They offer the ability to deliver very high performance at a fraction of the cost when compared to supercomputers. The first generation of configurable computers (those with multiple FPGAs connected using a specific interconnect) used statically reconfigurable FPGAs. On these configurable computers, computations are performed by partitioning an entire task into spatially interconnected subtasks. Such configurable computers are used in logic emulation systems and for functional verification of hardware. In general, configurable computers provide the ability to reconfigure rapidly to any desired custom form. Hence, the available resources can be reused effectively to cut down the hardware costs and also improve the performance. In this paper, we introduce the concept of temporal partitioning to partition a task into temporally interconnected subtasks. Specifically, we present algorithms for temporal partitioning and scheduling data flow graphs for configurable computers. We are given a configurable computing unit (RPU) with a logic capacity of S/sub RPU/ and a computational task represented by an acyclic data flow graph G=(V, E). Computations with logic area requirements that exceed S/sub RPU/ cannot be completely mapped on a configurable computer (using traditional spatial mapping techniques). However, a temporal partitioning of the data flow graph followed by proper scheduling can facilitate the configurable computer based execution. Temporal partitioning of the data flow graph is a k-way partitioning of G=(V, E) such that each partitioned segment will not exceed S/sub RPU/ in its logic requirement. Scheduling assigns an execution order to the partitioned segments so as to ensure proper execution. Thus, for each segment in {s/sub 1/,s/sub 2/,. ,s/sub k/}, scheduling assigns a unique ordering S/sub i/-j,1/spl les/i/spl les/k,1/spl les/j/spl les/k, such that the computation would execute in proper sequential order as defined by the flow graph G=(V, E).
Human Rad51 amino acid residues required for Rad52 binding.

The Rad51 protein, a homologue of the bacterial RecA protein, is an essential factor for both meiotic and mitotic recombination. The N-terminal domain of the human Rad51 protein (HsRad51) directly interacts with DNA. Based on a yeast two-hybrid analysis, it has been reported that the N-terminal region of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad51 protein binds Rad52;S. cerevisiae Rad51 and Rad52 both activate the homologous pairing and strand exchange reactions. Here, we show that the HsRad51 N-terminal region, which corresponds to the Rad52-binding region of ScRad51, does not exhibit strong binding to the human Rad52 protein (HsRad52). To investigate its function, the C-terminal region of HsRad51 was randomly mutagenized. Although this region includes the two segments corresponding to the putative DNA-binding sites of RecA, all seven of the mutants did not decrease, but instead slightly increased, the DNA binding. In contrast, we found that some of these HsRad51 mutations significantly decreased the HsRad52 binding. Therefore, we conclude that these amino acid residues are required for the HsRad51.HsRad52 binding. HsRad52, as well as S. cerevisiae Rad52, promoted homologous pairing between ssDNA and dsDNA, and higher homologous pairing activity was observed in the presence of both HsRad51 and HsRad52 than with either HsRad51 or HsRad52 alone. The HsRad51 F259V mutation, which strongly impaired the HsRad52 binding, decreased the homologous pairing in the presence of both HsRad51 and HsRad52, without affecting the homologous pairing by HsRad51 alone. This result suggests the importance of the HsRad51.HsRad52 interaction in homologous pairing.
Clinical inquiries. Are liver function tests required for patients taking isoniazid for latent TB?

Routine liver function test monitoring is not required for all patients on isoniazid therapy for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (strength of recommendation: B, based on case series). No clinical trials have studied the potential risks and benefits of routinely monitoring liver function tests for all patients taking isoniazid for latent TB infection. Data from 2 case series suggest that routine liver function test monitoring leads to withdrawal of isoniazid prophylaxis from about 6% of patients because of abnormal lab results. This is 10 to 60 times the hepatitis rate found in case series using a symptom-based monitoring strategy. Data are insufficient, however, to conclude that routine liver function test monitoring leads to a lower rate of fatal isoniazid hepatitis compared with a strategy of symptom-based screening. Given that complete recovery from nonfatal hepatitis is the rule, and that patients withdrawn from isoniazid prophylaxis remain at risk for developing active tuberculosis, current evidence does not support routine liver function test monitoring for all patients.
Low vitamin D status in systemic sclerosis and the impact on disease phenotype.

OBJECTIVE Vitamin D has pleiotropic effects including immunomodulatory, cardioprotective, and antifibrotic properties and is thus able to modulate the three main links in scleroderma pathogenesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of vitamin D in patients with systemic sclerosis and to analyze the associations between the concentration of vitamin D and the features of systemic sclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-one consecutive patients were evaluated for visceral involvement, immunological profile, activity, severity scores, and quality of life. The vitamin D status was evaluated by measuring the 25hydroxy-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels. RESULTS The mean vitamin D level was 17.06±9.13 ng/dL. Only 9.8% of the patients had optimal vitamin D levels; 66.66% of them had insufficient 25(OH)D levels, while 23.52% had deficient levels. No correlation was found between vitamin D concentration and age, sex, autoantibody profile, extent of skin involvement, or vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D levels were correlated with the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (p=0.019, r=0.353), diastolic dysfunction (p=0.033, r=-0.318), digital contractures (p=0.036, r=-0.298), and muscle weakness (p=0.015, r=-0.377) and had a trend for negative correlation with pulmonary hypertension (p=0.053, r=-0.29). CONCLUSION Low levels of vitamin D are very common in systemic sclerosis. Poor vitamin status seems to be related with a more aggressive disease with multivisceral and severe organ involvement, especially pulmonary and cardiac involvement.
Prevention of cisplatin‐induced acute and delayed emesis by the selective neurokinin‐1 antagonists, L‐758,298 and MK‐869

Recent studies have suggested that antiemetic therapy with a triple combination of the neurokinin‐1 receptor antagonist MK‐869, a serotonin (5‐HT3) antagonist, and dexamethasone provides enhanced control of cisplatin‐induced emesis compared with standard therapy regimens. The authors compared the antiemetic activity of a dual combination of MK‐869 and dexamethasone with that of a standard dual combination of ondansetron and dexamethasone to characterize further the efficacy and tolerability profile of MK‐869.
Reactivation of the p90RSK–CDC25C Pathway Leads to Bypass of the Ganetespib-Induced G2–M Arrest and Mediates Acquired Resistance to Ganetespib in KRAS-Mutant NSCLC

A subset of non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are dependent upon oncogenic driver mutations, including the most frequently observed driver mutant KRAS, which is associated with a poor prognosis. As direct RAS targeting in the clinic has been unsuccessful to date, use of Hsp90 inhibitors appeared to be a promising therapy for KRAS-mutant NSCLC; however, limited clinical efficacy was observed due to rapid resistance. Furthermore, the combination of the Hsp90 inhibitor (Hsp90i), ganetespib, and docetaxel was tested in a phase III clinical trial and failed to demonstrate benefit. Here, we investigated the mechanism(s) of resistance to ganetespib and explored why the combination with docetaxel failed in the clinic. We have not only identified a critical role for the bypass of the G2–M cell-cycle checkpoint as a mechanism of ganetespib resistance (GR) but have also found that GR leads to cross-resistance to docetaxel. Reactivation of p90RSK and its downstream target, CDC25C, was critical for GR and mediated the bypass of a G2–M arrest. Overexpression of either p90RSK or CDC25C lead to bypass of G2–M arrest and induced ganetespib resistance in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, resistance was dependent on p90RSK/CDC25C signaling, as synthetic lethality to ERK1/2, p90RSK, or CDC25C inhibitors was observed. Importantly, the combination of ganetespib and p90RSK or CDC25C inhibitors was highly efficacious in parental cells. These studies provide a way forward for Hsp90 inhibitors through the development of novel rationally designed Hsp90 inhibitor combinations that may prevent or overcome resistance to Hsp90i. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(8); 1658–68. ©2017 AACR.
A global analysis of elevational gradients in leaf herbivory and its underlying drivers: Effects of plant growth form, leaf habit and climatic correlates

Research on elevational gradients in species interactions holds that herbivore pressure increases towards warmer and more stable climates found at lower elevations. However, the generality of this expectation has been challenged by recent studies reporting no evidence of expected trends or even positive associations between elevation and herbivory, presumably due to uncontrolled biotic and abiotic factors influencing such relationships. Using a world‐wide dataset of insect leaf herbivory including 1,027 plant species and spanning an elevation gradient of 2,755 m, we tested if elevational gradients in herbivory were contingent on whether species were found at tropical vs. temperate latitudes, plant growth form (non‐woody vs. woody species), and leaf habit (deciduous vs. evergreen woody species). In addition, we tested the influence of climatic correlates of elevation presumably underlying such elevational gradients. Although there was no evidence of an overall relationship between elevation and damage, we found that elevational gradients in herbivory were contingent on species growth form whereby herbivory increased towards lower elevations for woody species, but no gradient was observed for non‐woody species. We further found that elevational gradients in herbivory were contingent on leaf habit as herbivory increased towards lower elevations for deciduous species, but no gradient was present for evergreen species. Elevational variation in damage was not contingent upon latitudinal region. Finally, analyses of climatic factors indicated that although a significant association between temperature and herbivory for woody species was detected, the elevational gradient in leaf herbivory remained largely unchanged after accounting for temperature and precipitation, suggesting that climate does not fully account for the gradient. Synthesis. This study delivers the first global assessment of elevational gradients in leaf herbivory and emphasizes the role of plant (e.g. life‐history or defensive) traits and climatic factors in shaping elevational gradients in herbivory.
Probabilistic model for clock synchronization of cascaded network elements

Precision Time Protocol (PTP) synchronizes clocks of networked elements by exchanging messages containing precise time-stamps. A master clock is carefully chosen to provide the reference clock to the rest elements in the network, called slaves. Using the time-stamps, slave element learns the relation between its own clock and the master clock so that it can synchronize its time to the reference time. Uncertainties, e.g., random stamping and quantization errors, affect the synchronization precision. This paper presents a probabilistic state-space model which quantifies the uncertainties and represents the relation between system variables. Estimation of hidden variables, i.e. the system states, is carried out by using Kalman filter. The performance of this approach is verified by numerical results.
Identification of plant‐induced genes of the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pathovar campestris using a promoter‐probe plasmid

A promoter‐probe plasmid suitable for use in Xanthomonas campestris pathovar campestris (causal agent of crucifer black rot) was constructed by ligating a broad host range IncQ replicon into the promoter‐probe plasmid pKK232‐8, which contains a promoterless chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. Xanthomonas chromosomal DNA fragments were ‘shotgun’ cloned into a restriction site in front of this gene, and the resulting library was transferred en masse into Xanthomonas. Individual transconjugants possessing DNA insertions with promoter activity in plants were identified by virtue of their ability to infect chloramphenicol‐treated turnip seedlings. Of 19 transconjugants identified in this way five were chloramphenicol resistant both in turnip seedlings and on agar plates. However the remaining 14 were only chloramphenicol resistant in planta, and thus apparently contained plant‐inducible promoter fragments. Resistance to chloramphenicol was correlated with increased chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity for the transconjugants assayed. The promoter fragments were used to isolate genomic clones from a library, and the role of the genes contained in these clones in pathogenicity is being investigated.
AraC/XylS family members, HilD and HilC, directly activate virulence gene expression independently of HilA in Salmonella typhimurium

Salmonella typhimurium is a Gram‐negative enteric pathogen that can infect intestinal epithelial cells and induce inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. These processes are mediated by a type III secretion system (TTSS), which is encoded on Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1). Previous studies showed that four SPI1‐encoded transcriptional regulators, HilD, HilC, HilA and InvF, act in an ordered fashion to co‐ordinately activate expression of the SPI1 TTSS. HilD and HilC derepress hilA transcription. HilA activates invF as well as SPI1 genes that encode components of the TTS apparatus. InvF then activates genes that encode proteins secreted by the SPI1 TTS apparatus. In this scheme, HilD and HilC indirectly activate expression of the SPI1 TTS apparatus and its secreted substrates by affecting hilA expression. Here, we report that HilD and HilC can also activate expression of a subset of SPI1 genes independently of HilA. Our studies show that HilD and HilC activate transcription of invF from a promoter that is far upstream of its HilA‐dependent promoter. This activation is most probably through direct binding of HilD and HilC to sequences upstream and downstream of this alternative HilA‐independent promoter. We conclude that HilD and HilC have a second role in SPI1 gene regulation that is separate from their role in co‐ordinating expression of the SPI1 TTSS through hilA .
Fractures of the Proximal Tibial Metaphysis in Children: Review of a Series of 25 Cases

Twenty-five cases of fractures of the proximal tibial metaphysis in children are reported. They are divided into three groups: torus fractures, greenstick fractures, and complete fractures. Genu valgum appeared in 12 cases of complete or greenstick fractures. Eleven deformities deteriorated progressively in the year following trauma. Three of these were spontaneously compensated for by growth at the inferior epiphyseal plate. Four corrective osteotomies were performed in the series, but this procedure is not recommended because of the significant risk of recurrence and the possibility of compartment syndrome, even with associated fibular osteotomy. A persistent valgus deformity can be corrected during puberty, if necessary, by a medial tibial epiphysiodesis.
Hybrid Magnetic Tunnel Junction-MEMS High Frequency Field Modulator for 1/f Noise Suppression

A dc to ac magnetic field transformer was developed using a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ)/microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mixed device. A MEMS torsionator was fabricated with an incorporated magnetic flux guide, that when actuated by a gate electrode, modulates an external dc field into the same frequency of the micro-torsionator oscillation. Attached to it a MgO based MTJ was fabricated, performing the detection of the generated ac magnetic field. This dc to ac field transformation enables the detection of dc magnetic fields in the high frequency thermal noise regime, where the 1/f noise is typically two orders of magnitude lower. Measurements show the detection of a modulated field at 460 kHz, coming from the MEMS torsionator designed to exhibit high modulation efficiency. This efficiency was of 11%, i.e., 11% of the external dc field is modulated. As a result, from a MTJ exhibiting a noise of SV MTJ=4.4 nT/Hz1/2 at 460 kHz, this hybrid device enables a dc magnetic field detection of 40 nT/Hz1/2. This work acts as a major improvement to a previous one , mainly through the optimization of the MEMS magnetic field modulation efficiency.
Environmental enrichment enhances neurogenesis and improves functional outcome after cranial irradiation

Radiation therapy is a widely used treatment for brain tumors but it can cause delayed progressive cognitive decline and memory deficits. Previous studies suggested that this neurocognitive dysfunction might be linked to the impairment of hippocampal neurogenesis. However, little is known regarding how to reduce the cognitive impairment caused by radiation therapy. To investigate whether environmental enrichment (EE) promotes neurogenesis and cognitive function after irradiation, irradiated gerbils were housed in EE for 2 months and evaluated by neurobehavioral testing for learning and memory function, and immunohistochemical analysis for neurogenesis. Our results demonstrated that even relatively low doses (5–10 Gy) of irradiation could acutely abolish precursor cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus by more than 90%. This reduction in precursor proliferation was persistent and led to a significant decline in the granule cell population 9 months later. EE housing enhanced the number of newborn neurons and increased residual neurogenesis. EE also significantly increased the total number of immature neurons in the dentate gyrus. Furthermore, irradiated animals after EE housing showed a significant improvement in spatial learning and memory during the water‐maze test and in rotorod motor learning over a 5‐day training paradigm. In conclusion, EE has a positive impact on hippocampal neurogenesis and functional recovery in irradiated adult gerbils. Our data suggest that there is still a considerable amount of plasticity remaining in the hippocampal progenitor cells in adult animals after radiation injury, which can become a target of therapeutic intervention for radiation‐induced cognitive dysfunction.
Detecting QRS Complexes of Two-Channel ECG Signals by Using Combined Wavelet Entropy

A QRS detection method based on the combined wavelet entropy (CWS) is proposed for two-channel ECG signals. The raw ECG signals from two channels are firstly transformed by the continuous wavelet transform within a selected frequency interval, which can effectively suppress the interference and only focus on the QRS component. The wavelet entropy (WS) based method is employed to analyze the ECG signal from channel 1 based on an automated threshold determination. This method may fail when the current RR interval is larger than 1.5 times the average RR interval. Here, another WS has to be calculated for ECG signal from channel 2, and the CWS is defined as the sum of WS from two channel signals. The time evolution of the CWS is calculated, which can enhance detection results by using the QRS information coming from both channels. Experimental results indicate that this proposed method achieves an average detection rate of 99.84%, a sensitivity of 99.91%, and a positive prediction of 99.93% over both two leads of ECG signals from the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database, which outperform some published results of other detection algorithms.