Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Porter's generic strategies, discontinuous environments, and performance: a longitudinal study of changing strategies in the hospital industry.

OBJECTIVE Changes in generic strategies in response to discontinuous environments have been relatively ignored in the management literature. This study reports an examination of the relationships between Porter's (1980) generic strategies, discontinuous environments, and performance. DATA SOURCES Archival data for 1984 and 1988 were collected for 172 acute care hospitals in Florida in order to test these relationships. STUDY DESIGN To examine fully the performance impact of changes in strategy in a discontinuous environment, a longitudinal research design that identified a firm's strategy at two points in time, 1984 and 1988, was used. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Results indicate that firms with a proper strategy environment fit performed the highest, firms that did not change their strategy had no change in performance, and firms that changed their strategy toward a proper strategy environment showed an increase in performance. CONCLUSION Findings support the notion that hospitals with appropriate strategy-environment combinations will exhibit higher performance.
Phase-locked drive loop with amplitude regulation based on phase-shifting for gyroscopes

This paper presents a phase-locked drive loop for gyroscopes with an amplitude regulation based on phase-shifting. Instead of regulating the AC or DC value of the driving stage in order to maintain a constant primary oscillation, this concept introduces a tunable phase delay into the driving loop. Compared to conventional amplitude regulation this concept is advantageous, since the high voltages of the driving stage can be set to a constant value and do not have to be adjusted. This reduces the complexity of the analog circuitry enormously and eases the use of higher driving voltages. Additionally this concept provides a sampling frequency for a sigma-delta modulator readout interface.
DCNL1 Functions as a Substrate Sensor and Activator of Cullin 2-RING Ligase

ABSTRACT Substrate engagement by F-box proteins promotes NEDD8 modification of cullins, which is necessary for the activation of cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs). However, the mechanism by which substrate recruitment triggers cullin neddylation remains unclear. Here, we identify DCNL1 (defective in cullin neddylation 1-like 1) as a component of CRL2 called ECV (elongins BC/CUL2/VHL) and show that molecular suppression of DCNL1 attenuates CUL2 neddylation. DCNL1 via its DAD patch binds to CUL2 but is also able to bind VHL independent of CUL2 and the DAD patch. The engagement of the substrate hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) to the substrate receptor VHL increases DCNL1 binding to VHL as well as to CUL2. Notably, an engineered mutant form of HIF1α that associates with CUL2, but not DCNL1, fails to trigger CUL2 neddylation and retains ECV in an inactive state. These findings support a model in which substrate engagement prompts DCNL1 recruitment that facilitates the initiation of CUL2 neddylation and define DCNL1 as a “substrate sensor switch” for ECV activation.
Salinity-dependent silver nanoparticle uptake and transformation by Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) embryos

Abstract We assessed the biodistribution and in situ speciation of sub-lethal concentrations of citrate-coated silver nanoparticles and dissolved silver within Fundulus heteroclitus embryos. Using a thorough physico-chemical characterization, we studied the role of salinity on both uptake and in situ speciation. The Ag uptake or adsorption on the chorion was reduced by 2.3-fold for Ag NPs, and 2.9-fold for AgNO3 in estuarine water (10‰ ASW) compared to deionized water (0‰ ASW). Between 58% and 85% of the silver was localized on/in the chorion and formed patches between 20 and 80 µm. More than a physical barrier, the chorion was found to be a chemically reactive membrane controlling the in situ speciation of silver. A strong complexation of the Cit-Ag NPs with the thiolated groups of proteins or enzymes of the chorion was responsible for the oxidation of 48 ± 5% of the Ag0 into Ag(I)-S species at 0‰ ASW. However, at 10‰ ASW, the presence of Cl− ions at the surface of Ag NPs slow down this oxidation. For the dissolved silver, we observed that in deionized water 69 ± 7% of Ag+ taken up by the chorion was complexed by the thiolated molecules while the others 30 ± 3% were reduced into Ag0 likely via interaction with the hemiacetal-reducing ends of polysaccharides of the chorion.
Effects of Gradient Photoperiod and Temperature on Energy Metabolism and Body Composition in Tupaia belangeri chinensis

C and 8L:16D photoperiod (treatment group) over a period of four weeks and then maintained at those conditions for a further 4 weeks. Changes in body mass, resting metabolic rates (RMR),energy intake, and wet and dry mass of organs and tissues were measured at the end of the acclimation. Body mass in treatment tree shrews was higher than control. RMR showed significant differences between groups. No significant differences were detected in dry matter intake, energy intake, and digestible energy intake in control tree shrews during the whole acclimation period, while these parameters were significantly increased within treatment tree shrews at the end of acclimation, and were significantly higher than those in control tree shrews. Small intestine and stomach dry mass, as well as the wet mass of small intestine, heart, lung, liver and kidney were significantly higher in treatment groups than in controls, but no significant differences were found in the mass of other organs and tissues. These results suggest that increasing body mass and energy intake, together with adjusting the mass of some organs and tissues, are important physiological changes in tree shrews to adapt the changing environmental conditions.
Involvement of reactive oxygen intermediates in the induction of c-jun gene transcription by ionizing radiation.

Previous work has demonstrated that the cellular response to ionizing radiation includes transcriptional activation of the c-jun gene. The signaling events responsible for this response, however, remain unclear. The present studies have examined the effects of ionizing radiation on c-jun expression in a variant of HL-60 cells, designated HL-525, which is deficient in protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated signal transduction. The results demonstrate that these cells express low levels of PKC alpha and PKC beta transcripts and exhibit an attenuated induction of c-jun expression following treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). In contrast, HL-525 cells respond to ionizing radiation with an increase in c-jun mRNA which is more pronounced than that in wild-type HL-60 cells. These cells similarly respond to ionizing radiation with increased expression of the jun-B, jun-D, c-fos, and fos-B genes. Nuclear run-on assays demonstrate that X-ray-induced c-jun expression in HL-525 cells is regulated by increases in the rate of c-jun gene transcription. Moreover, mRNA stability studies in irradiated HL-525 cells demonstrate that the half-life of c-jun transcripts is prolonged compared to that in wild-type cells. Studies with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, suggest that X-ray-induced transcriptional activation of the c-jun gene is mediated at least in part through the formation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs). In this context, H2O2 also induced c-jun expression in HL-525 cells, and this effect was inhibited by NAC. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of Lean Beef Supplementation on Iron Status, Body Composition and Performance of Collegiate Distance Runners

Iron deficiency is prevalent among endurance athletes, particularly females. Low iron may compromise oxygen delivery and physical performance. Vegetarianism, desire for convenience, and perceived health risks associated with red meat contribute to low bioavailable iron intakes. The purpose of this study was to examine if lean beef supplementation would maintain iron status, improve body composition and increase performance of distance runners after 8 weeks. Twenty-eight (14 female) Division-I cross-country runners were stratified by iron status, use of iron supplements, and gender, and randomized into a control (n = 14) and intervention group. All participants maintained their typical diet and consumed a daily multivitamin, while the intervention group consumed 9 ounces of lean beef weekly. Dietary intake (total iron, heme-iron, protein, zinc), body composition, VO2max, and iron status (hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity [TIBC]) were measured at baseline and post-intervention. The intervention group had greater intakes of total and heme-iron. There were no group differences in amino acids, protein, or calories. Both groups had a significant body fat increase and lean mass decease over time. There was a significant VO2max increase over time in both groups. There were no group differences due to the intervention in serum ferritin, hemoglobin, serum iron, and TIBC. There was a significant difference in hematocrit between groups as a result of the intervention. In conclusion, increasing bioavailable iron from red meat may have effects on body composition and maintenance of blood iron markers; however, its direct impact on performance among endurance athletes is unclear.
Les filtres de Hermite et de Gabor donnent-ils des modèles équivalents du système visuel humain?

Les modeles des profils de champs receptifs du systeme visuel humain ont joue un role important dans le traitement d'images car ils codent efficacement l'information visuelle pertinente pour la perception humaine. Parmi les modeles mathematiques proposes il existe celui de Gabor, qui est le plus souvent utilise et le plus connu. Il existe aussi celui de Hermite base sur les filtres d'analyse de la transformee de Hermite cree par J.-B. Martens. Ce modele est en accord avec le modele de la vision humaine en derivees de Gaussiennes developpe par Richard A. Young. Cependant, il n'est pas autant connu que celui de Gabor bien qu'il presente l'avantage de former une base orthogonale et d'avoir un meilleur appariement avec les donnees corticales. Dans cet article, nous presentons une comparaison analytique basee sur la minimisation de l'energie de l'erreur entre les deux modeles, grâce a laquelle les parametres optimaux permettant de rapprocher les deux modeles sont trouves. Les resultats montrent que les deux modeles sont equivalents. En fait, nous pouvons implementer un filtre de Hermite avec un filtre de Gabor equivalent et vice-versa pourvu que les conditions de minimisation de l'erreur soient maintenues. Le resultats permettent aussi de voir que les deux modeles extraient tres sensiblement la meme information frequentielle. Nous esperons ainsi fournir un cadre dans lequel les applications utilisant le modele de Gabor puissent s'ouvrir a celui de Hermite.
A proportionate affine projection algorithm using dichotomous coordinate descent iterations

This paper proposes a low-complexity proportionate affine projection algorithm (PAPA) suitable for echo cancellation. It is known that proportionate-type algorithms exploit the sparseness character of the echo path in order to achieve faster convergence and tracking as compared to the conventional algorithms. The proposed algorithm results as a combination between a recently proposed “memory”-PAPA (MPAPA) and an iterative technique for solving the matrix inversion problem, i.e., the dichotomous coordinate descent (DCD) with a leading element. Simulations performed in the context of network echo cancellation indicate the good performance of the proposed algorithm.
Neurocardiology and Atherosclerosis: The Effect of Ethnic Differences on Heart-brain Interaction

© 2017 Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice | Published by Wolters Kluwer Medknow atherosclerotic lesions is not uniform. Notably, the internal mammary artery is known to be highly resistant to atherosclerosis. More importantly, this nonuniformity is not only prevalent within the same circulatory system but also within different ethnic groups. For instance, Asian populations appear to have a higher risk of intracranial atherosclerosis compared to Caucasians while ethnic minorities residing in the United States have been found to have differences in risk factors compared to their nonemigrant compatriots. [6,7] These suggest both genetic as well as environmental influences at hand.
Severity of Acute Pain After Breast Surgery Is Associated With the Likelihood of Subsequently Developing Persistent Pain

ObjectivesPersistent postsurgical pain (PPSP) after surgery for breast cancer has a prevalence of 20% to 52%. Neuroplastic changes may play a role in the aetiology of this pain. The principal objective of this study was to examine the relationship between acute pain after surgery for breast cancer and the likelihood of subsequently developing PPSP. MethodsTwenty-eight women undergoing surgery for breast cancer completed visual analogue scales for pain and anxiety, the McGill Pain Questionnaire (long form) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Analgesic requirements and adverse effects of analgesic therapy were noted. Quantitative sensory testing was carried out perioperatively using an electrical stimulus, and the sensation perception, pain perception, and pain tolerance thresholds were measured bilaterally at the T4 dermatomes and at the contralateral L5 dermatome. Patients with and without PPSP 3 months postoperatively were compared in terms of these parameters. ResultsEight participants (28.6%) reported PPSP. Those who subsequently developed PPSP reported greater pain scores on the McGill Pain Questionnaire 5 days postoperatively than those that did not (pain rating index, P=0.014; present pain intensity, P=0.032). None had sought medical attention for their persistent pain. Patients with and without PPSP were similar in terms of mental status (anxiety and depression), analgesic consumption, adverse effects of analgesic therapy, and changes on QST. DiscussionPatients who developed PPSP experienced pain of greater intensity on the fifth postoperative day than those that did not.
The identification of kala-azar and the discovery of Leishmania donovani.

Difficultes d'identifier le Kala azar avant la decouverte du parasite. Description des epidemies de fievre Burdwan du Bengale et de Kala azar en Assam au milieu du XIX s. et le lien que Leonard Rogers a etabli entre les deux. Decouverte du parasite (G. M. J. Giles, E. F. H. Dobson, R. Ross, L. Rogers). Les travaux de W. B. Leishman sur le parasite.
Meige Syndrome: Relief on High‐Dose Anticholinergic Therapy

A patient with Meige syndrome associated with spasmodic torticollis was treated with benztropine mesylate (Cogentin®) at doses of 12–16 mg daily. Marked suppression of both oromandibular dystonia and the torticollis was obtained. Mild impairment of recent memory was the major side effect. Peripheral anticholinergic side effects were controlled by the concomitant administration of ambenonium chloride (Mytelase®) 15 mg daily.
A single-inductor 8-channel output DC-DC boost converter with time-limited one-shot current control and single shared hysteresis comparator

This paper describes a time-limited one-shot current control technique used to extend the outputs of a single-inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter without stability and complexity issues. The proposed scheme also reliably supports many outputs with unbalanced loads. True all-comparator control is realized with a single shared hysteresis comparator and a fixed switching frequency of 800-kHz. The maximum efficiency reaches 92%. The fabricated 8-channel output chip occupies 2.4×2.1 mm2 in a 0.35-µm CMOS process.
Modèles statistiques pour l'estimation de la matrice fondamentale

L'estimation de la matrice fondamentale entre deux vues est un probleme central dans les problemes d'analyse de la structure et du mouvement dans les sequences videos. L'estimation est generalement effectuee en deux etapes: 1) identification des couples de points d'interet en correspondance dans les deux vues, et 2) filtrage robuste des appariements. La reussite de cette seconde etape depend de la precision de la premiere etape, ainsi que de differents seuils numeriques. Le reglage des seuils est delicat et empeche la realisation de procedures automatisees d'evaluation de pose. L. Moisan et B. Stival ont propose un modele statistique permettant de supprimer ces seuils. Nous montrons sur des donnees synthetiques et reelles l'interet de leur methode en termes de robustesse, de precision et de temps de calcul. D'autre part, a la suite de leurs travaux, nous proposons un algorithme permettant simultanement d'apparier les points d'interet et d'estimer la matrice fondamentale entre deux vues. Nous montrons que cet algorithme est robuste dans le cas de motifs repetes et donc difficiles a apparier sans ambiguite.
Structural organization and chromosome location of the mouse Elongin A gene (Tceb3)

Elongin A is the transcriptionally active subunit of the Elongin complex, which strongly increases the rate of elongation by RNA polymerase II by suppressing the transient pausing of the polymerase at many sites within transcription units. In the present study, we obtained the cDNA sequence of the mouse Elongin A gene (Tceb3) and characterized its genomic structure. The deduced 773-amino acid sequence of mouse Elongin A shows 91% and 81% identity with rat and human Elongin A, respectively. The Elongin A gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 4D3 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.
Influence of N‐2‐hydroxyethylpiperazine‐N′‐2‐ethanesulfonic acid pH buffer on the biological response of marine algae

The N‐2‐hydroxyethylpiperazine‐N′‐2‐ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) is extensively used as pH buffer in culture media for testing chemicals. However, this study demonstrates that 0.01 M HEPES significantly reduces the rate of Cu, Pb, and Cd binding to Porphyra spp. and Enteromorpha spp. marine macroalgae. The HEPES also decreased the accumulation of Cu, Pb, and Cd but not Hg by these macroalgae. Both the extracellular adsorption and the intracellular uptake of the metals were influenced by HEPES to a similar extent. The HEPES also promoted the release of exudates by the algae, and these exudates form very stable complexes with Cu (and probably with other trace metal ions). The HEPES interference varied with the nature of the metal, the macroalga, and the season. The presence of 0.01 M HEPES in seawater cultures of the Emiliania huxleyi (a microalga) also interfered with E. huxleyi growth, liberation of Cu‐complexing organic ligands, and Cu uptake. The HEPES, which displays surface activity, may facilitate the binding of metals to the algae for an initial exposure period. The metal taken up appears to stimulate the liberation of exudates that subsequently control the bioavailability of the metals and therefore metal uptake. Because HEPES can control the uptake of trace metals by algae and the production of organic ligands, the results obtained in cultures containing the HEPES pH buffer can be influenced by this component of the media.
Fitting range of the BAHA Intenso

Audiometric characteristics of a recently introduced more powerful, behind-the-ear, BAHA sound processor, the BAHA Intenso, were evaluated in 23 patients with contra-indications for using conventional hearing aids. All patients had mixed hearing loss with boneconduction thresholds ranging between 30 and 50 dB HL. Boneconduction gain, defined as the difference in aided free-field detection thresholds and unaided boneconduction thresholds, was calculated at the octave frequencies between 500 Hz and 4 kHz. Median boneconduction gain of the Intenso ranges from 0 dB at 500 ;Hz to 12 ;dB at 2 kHz with substantial interindividual variability. The upper limit of the BAHA Intenso's fitting range was established by requiring aided speech reception thresholds with CVC-monosyllables of at most 60 dB SPL. The fitting range of the BAHA Intenso appeared to be limited to 42, 44, 58, and 48 dB HL for boneconduction thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 ;kHz, respectively. Loudness growth functions at 0.5 and 3 kHz as obtained with 7-point categorical scaling showed an adequate aided dynamic range.
Measuring the external health cost of particulate matter from road traffic and other sources in Stockholm, Sweden

This paper measures the external health cost due to emissions from different sources in the Stockholm area using the Impact pathway approach. The estimated health impact is the result of detailed dispersion modelling with high spatial resolution. We make separate calculations for the impact that occur within the Stockholm area, the surrounding region and the rest of Europe. The pollutants considered are combustion and secondary particulate matter (PM) from the burning of fuels and also road wear (non-exhaust PM) that makes a large contribution to measured concentrations of PM locally in Stockholm. We also investigate the influence of assumptions made regarding the exposure-response functions used in these calculations since PM of different origin are expected to have different health impacts. According to the results road traffic makes important contributions to the external health cost both on a local and a regional scale compared to other sources. This is in part due to emissions being released in close proximity to where people live but also because of the amount of pollutants emitted. Although non-exhaust PM makes a large contribution to local population exposure within Stockholm the external health cost is relatively small which is due to other health impact being relevant for this emission source. Residential heating also makes an important contribution to exposure and external health cost on a local scale while power plants have a large influence regionally.
Correction of bilateral ectopic eruption of first permanent molars using a fixed appliance.

The reported incidence of ectopic eruption ranges from 2 to 4.3% of the population. ^ Treatment modalities have been divided into two categories: interproximal wedging and distal tipping. Interproximal wedging is indicated when there is minimal impaction of the first permanent molar on the distal aspect of the second primary molar. When the impaction is severe, distal tipping techniques are required. With the exception of a case presented by Croll, reports in the literature describe treatment modalities on unilateral ectopic eruption situations. The present report describes the use of a bilateral appliance design for correction of these cases.