Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural Equation Modeling of Disability in Women with Fibromyalgia or Multiple Sclerosis

Structural equation modeling (SEM), a popular statistical technique for analysis of multivariate data in the social sciences, is increasingly being used in the behavioral and clinical sciences. SEM is appropriate for posing complex models that evaluate the direct and indirect influence of several variables on one or more outcome variables. A biosocial model of disability, the Disablement Process Model, lends itself to evaluation by SEM. Using SEM, this study examined predictors of disability (Age, Education, Duration of Illness, and Economic Adequacy Functional Limitations, Depressive Symptoms, and Social Support) separately in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and compared the respective models across groups. Data were analyzed with Analysis of Moment Structures (Amos) 7.0. Problems identified in initial confirmatory model testing included collateral correlated errors, a negative error variance, and poor performance of the disability indicators. After specifying well-fitting confirmatory models for each group, a structural model for the larger FMS group was estimated. Model refinement resulted in the reversal of the path between Depressive Symptoms and Social Support. Further model revisions were based on comparative fit statistics and theoretical logic. The structural model developed from the FMS sample required minimal changes to fit the MS sample. The multisample model explained greater variance in disability in women with FMS than in women with MS. Social support and depressive symptoms mediated the effect of functional limitations on disability. Interventions that target modifiable characteristics, such as depression and social support, may improve outcomes such as disability.
Adoption Of Social Networks In Business: Study Of Users And Potential Users In Oman

Web 2.0 technologies have become effective tools in recent years, being used by people everywhere for everything. One of the most effective types of Web 2.0 technology is online social networks. Social networks, like Facebook and Twitter, are being used in communication and for building social capital between people. However, they have become important tools in the business world, and business people have realized that social networks are applicable tools in their daily business tasks. There is a belief that social networking and social media are going to transform people’s live styles, change their cultures, revolutionize communication, and reform the existing business models. From this standpoint, this research investigates and attempts to understand the adoption of social networks in business. This research raises three main questions: 1) What is the impact of utilizing social networks in business? , 2) How does business increase opportunities by adopting social networks? , and 3) What are the obstacles that discourage certain organizations from utilizing social networks in their business? The main theoretical objectives of this research are to investigate and explore the opportunities and reasons behind adopting social networks in business, to investigate the impacts of social networks on business and what the consequences are for individual businesses, and to discover the reasons which are preventing certain businesses from adopting social networks. In order to achieve the research’s objectives about 130 questionnaires were distributed to different private organizations in Oman. Some of the initial findings of this exploratory study are that the majority of organizations that participated fall into the ‘services’ category; 57% of the respondents have face-to-face meetings as well as online/email to communicate with their customers, and 81% of these organizations allow their employees to access/browse the Internet during working hours; 31% of the organizations said that the main gain from utilizing social networking is to encourage and empower employees to discuss ideas, post news, ask questions, and share links; 62% of the organizations agreed that one of the obstacles preventing them from adopting social networking is the lack of quantifiable business benefits. This study is expected to help businesses that are trying to gain competitive advantage by deploying these new technologies and ideas for the enhancement of their operations.
Comparative forward link traffic channel performance evaluation of HDR and 1XTREME systems

This paper presents a comparison of the forward link performance of the HDR and 1XTREME systems. Both systems have been proposed as possible evolutionary paths for the 1.25 MHz cdma2000 system, and have been designed to enable high data rate packet transmission. Link-level performance is evaluated by chip-level time-domain simulation of the forward data traffic channel in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise, and is then used in a system-level simulator modeling a network of 19 three-sector cells. The system-level simulator accounts for slow and fast fading and two types of multipath channel profiles, as described by the pedestrian A and vehicular B ITU-R channel models. The packet scheduling is performed using a proportionally fair (PF) scheduler. The systems use bit rate adaptation and hybrid ARQ to achieve 1% packet error rate (PER). All users in the system are assumed to always have data packets available for transmission. System performance is evaluated for an embedded sector in terms of average sector throughput as a function of the number of users, distributions of data rates, and individual throughputs over a set of users. Results show the benefits of multiuser diversity exploited by the PF scheduler, and present throughput and fairness comparisons for the two systems.
Ocular hypertension: to treat or not to treat.

Chandler and Grant urge us to discard the diagnosis ocular hypertension and use in its stead early open-angle glaucoma for patients with high intraocular pressures, open angles, normal optic discs, and normal visual fields. They also advocate early treatment of these patients to prevent glaucomatous loss of vision. Should we label these patients early glaucoma? Many of them will never lose vision. In addition, the word glaucoma has connotations of prospective blindness that frighten the patient and hamper his ability to obtain employment or insurance. Ocular hypertension is a useful term that accurately describes the condition without implying an unduly dire prognosis. It does not, of course, imply a totally benign condition offering no risk to the patient's vision. Obviously, some patients with ocular hypertension will in the future develop glaucomatous optic nerve damage, and all must be carefully watched for this possibility. The important issue raised by the editorial,
Emergent exploration and resource gathering in collaborative robotic environments

The last years demonstrated a significant increase in the interest for emergent, collaborative robotics as a viable alternative to the more centralized classic approach. The design and implementation of a system of numerous cheaper robots have become more attractive than the construction of a larger, more expensive robot. This paper describes the algorithm which is used by a collaborative system of autonomous robots to find food sources (resources) on an unknown territory. As a case study, the implementations of this algorithm using a robotic collective composed of LEGO Mindstorm robots is discussed in this article. Some of the more interesting experimental results are also presented.
Transient experiences following hypnotic testing and special termination procedures.

Abstract For those who are responsive to hypnosis, the experiences can be unusual and involving. It is not surprising, therefore, that such experiences in response to tests of susceptibility may not be fully terminated when the hypnotic sessions end. In order to study the initial persistence of the effects, following administration of the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A) of Shor and E. Orne (1962) and the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C (SHSS:C) of Weitzenhoffer and E.R. Hilgard (1962), 107 college Ss were interviewed about their hypnotic experiences and subsequent experiences related to hypnosis. 72% of Ss reported feelings of relaxation and being rested following SHSS:C. Only 5% reported minor transient posthypnotic experiences following HGSHS:A, while 29% of Ss reported these feelings following SHSS:C. Except in 1 case, cognitive distortions or confusion were reported only following the more cognitively oriented SHSS:C by Ss who scored significantly higher.
Dielectric nanocomposites with insulating properties

Polymer nanocomposites possess promising high performances as engineering materials, if they are prepared and fabricated properly. Some work has been recently done on such polymer nanocomposites as dielectrics and electrical insulation. This was reviewed in 2004 based on the literatures published up to 2003. New significant findings have been added since then. Furthermore, a multi-core model with the far-distance effect, which is closely related to an "interaction zones", has been proposed from consideration of mesoscopic analysis of electrical and chemical structures of an existing interface with finite thickness. It is speculatively examined in the paper how the model works for various properties and phenomena already found in nanocomposites as dielectrics focusing on electrical characteristics, resistance to high voltage environment, and thermal properties.
Enterprise-Wide Risk Management (EWRM) implementation, compliance and value creation among Public Listed Companies (PLCs) in Malaysia / Norlida Abdul Manab

The Enterprise-Wide Risk Management (EWRM) concept seems to be gaining ground worldwide. Although this concept is still new in many parts of Asia, and Malaysia in particular, there are positive indications that EWRM is beginning to receive much attention, and that this topic is being widely discussed on an industry-wide basis. Numerous studies on this concept have been done by the practitioners, consultant firms, and professional bodies, rather than by academicians. The emergence of EWRM is cited to be driven most by corporate governance, and its effective implementation is claimed to contribute toward value creation. However, there is still lack of evidence of EWRM practices and their relationships with value creation.
Power efficient charge pump circuit in standard twin-well CMOS technology

In this paper, we present a new charge pump circuit feasible for the implementation with standard twin-well CMOS process technology. The proposed charge pump employs PMOS-switching dual charge-transfer paths and a simple two-phase clock. Since charge transfer switches are fully turned on during each half of clock cycle, they transfer charges completely from the present stage to the next stage without suffering threshold voltage drop. During one clock cycle, the pump transfers charges twice through two pumping paths which are operating alternately. The performance comparison by simulations shows that the proposed charge pump exhibits the higher output voltage, the larger output current, and thus a better power efficiency over the traditional twin-well charge pumps.
Varus Tilt of the Tibial Plafond as a Factor in Chronic Ligament Instability of the Ankle

The authors performed a radiographic study of 136 patients with acute ligament sprains and 85 patients with chronic lateral ligament instability of the ankle. Varus angulation of the tibial plafond, varus angulation of the line passing both malleolar ends, and varus angulation of the medial malleolus were measured on the AP views, and dorsal angulation of the tibial plafond was measured on the lateral views. The varus angles of the tibial plafond, the line passing both malleolar ends, and the medial malleolus were larger as mean values in patients with chronic ligament instability than in the patients with acute ligament sprain. The varus tilt of the tibial plafond is more often seen in patients with chronic ligament instability of the ankle than in patients with acute ligament sprains.
Physical and mental health characteristics of U.S.- and foreign-born adults: United States, 1998-2003.

OBJECTIVE This report presents national prevalence estimates of selected measures of physical health status and limitations, health care access and utilization, and mental health status among the civilian noninstitutionalized population of U.S.- and foreign-born adults aged 18 years and over in four race-ethnicity groups in the United States. METHODS The estimates in this report were derived from the Family Core and Sample Adult components of the 1998-2003 National Health Interview Surveys, conducted annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Estimates were generated and comparisons conducted using the SUDAAN statistical package to account for the complex survey sample design. Data were age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. RESULTS In general, the foreign-born population was younger, less likely to have a high school diploma, more likely to be poor, heavily concentrated in the central cities of metropolitan areas, and more likely to live in large families, compared with their U.S.-born counterparts. Hispanic immigrants were the least likely to have health insurance or to have a usual source of health care compared with other immigrant groups. Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic adults, regardless of nativity, were more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic Asian adults. However, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic immigrant adults were significantly less likely to be obese than their U.S.-born counterparts. Hispanic immigrants were more likely to be obese the longer they lived in the United States. Foreign-born nonHispanic black and Hispanic immigrant adults experienced fewer symptoms of serious psychological distress compared with their U.S.-born counterparts. CONCLUSIONS There are significant differences in physical health status and mental health status among U.S.-born and foreign-born adults. Foreign-born adults enjoy considerable advantages over their U.S.-born counterparts for many health measures despite limited access to health care and unfavorable sociodemographic characteristics. Differences in the impact of length of stay in the United States on immigrant health suggest that the role of acculturation in understanding immigrant health is complex and may differ for various race/ethnicity groups.
The University of Chicago Local Adaptation by Alleles of Small Effect *

Population genetic models predict that alleles with small technology, it is now possible to explore associations between millions of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selection coefficients may be swamped by migration and will not contribute to local adaptation. But if most alleles contributing to standing variation are of small effect, how does local adaptation proceed? Here I review predictions of population and quantitative genetic models and use individual-based simulations to illustrate how the architecture of local adaptation depends on the genetic redundancy of the trait, the maintenance of standing genetic variation (VG), and the susceptibility of alleles to swamping. Even when population genetic models predict swamping for individual alleles, considerable local adaptation can evolve at the phenotypic level if there is sufficient VG. However, in such cases the underlying architecture of divergence is transient: FST is low across all loci, and no locus makes an important contribution for very long. Because this kind of local adaptation is mainly due to transient frequency changes and allelic covariances, these architectures will be difficult—if not impossible—to detect using current approaches to studying the genomic basis of adaptation. Even when alleles are large and resistant to swamping, architectures can be highly transient if genetic redundancy andmutation rates are high. These results suggest that drift can play a critical role in shaping the architecture of local adaptation, both through eroding VG and affecting the rate of turnover of polymorphisms with redundant phenotypic effects.
Early Expressed Clb Proteins Allow Accumulation of Mitotic Cyclin by Inactivating Proteolytic Machinery during S Phase

ABSTRACT Periodic accumulation and destruction of mitotic cyclins are important for the initiation and termination of M phase. It is known that both APCCdc20 and APCHct1 collaborate to destroy mitotic cyclins during M phase. Here we show that this relationship between anaphase-promoting complex (APC) and Clb proteins is reversed in S phase such that the early Clb kinases (Clb3, Clb4, and Clb5 kinases) inactivate APCHct1 to allow Clb2 accumulation. This alternating antagonism between APC and Clb proteins during S and M phases constitutes an oscillatory system that generates undulations in the levels of mitotic cyclins.
Assignment of the 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of a short DNA-duplex with 1H-detected two-dimensional heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy

Proton-detected 1H-13C heteronuclear correlated spectroscopy [( 1H,13C]-COSY) was used to establish relations between the carbon-13 and proton nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts in the hexadeoxynucleoside pentaphosphate d-(GCATGC)2. Using the previously established sequence-specific proton NMR assignments, sequence-specific assignments were thus obtained for nearly all proton-bearing carbons. This approach offers a new criterion for distinguishing between the proton NMR lines of purines and pyrimidines, based on the different proton-carbon-13 coupling constants. Furthermore, the adenine ring carbon 2 has a unique carbon-13 chemical shift, which enables a straightforward identification of the adenine C2H resonances by [1H,13C]-COSY.
Enhanced performance of vertical double gate MOSFET (VDGM) with oblique rotating implantation (ORI) method

An enhanced performance of vertical double gate MOSFET (VDGM) structure was revealed by adopting the oblique rotating ion implantation (ORI) method. The device structure was simulated based on TCAD tools and verified by good matching data with the published experimental results. With ORI method a symmetrical self-aligned source/drain regions over the silicon pillar and sharp vertical channel profile was observed. With L<inf>g</inf> = 50nm, the V<inf>T</inf> is 0.96V in double gate and increased to 1.2V in single gate structure. The sub threshold swing, S = 81.9 mV/dec and S = 87.7 mV/dec were obtained for double and single gate devices respectively. Similarly, large I<inf>Dsat</inf> = 370µA/µm was observed for double gate compared to single gate device. By scaling the L<inf>g</inf> into 50nm, the V<inf>T</inf> remains almost the same when the L<inf>g</inf> is larger than 80nm. However, it decreases rapidly when scaled down to 50nm. The leakage current increases rapidly when the L<inf>g</inf> is scaled down to 100nm and beyond. However, the ratio of I<inf>ON</inf> – I<inf>OFF</inf> is seen to be increases even with shorter L<inf>g</inf>. These results indicates that ORI method is essential for overcoming various SCE as scaling the channel length down to nanometer regime.
Effect of ganglionic blocking on plasma renin activity in exercising and pain-stressed rats.

The effect of ganglionic blocking on piasma renin activity and plasma sodium concentration during exercise and pain stress were studied in rats. 20 female albino rats were exercised by swimming and 16 received intramuscular injections of 1 ml 10% NaCl. Half of the animals in each group were pretreated with a ganglionic blocking drug (Ansolysen®). In both groups there was a significantly lower plasma renin activity in the ganglion-blocked animals compared with their untreated controls, which indicates the importance of the sympathetic system for renin release. The findings suggest that changes in plasma sodium concentration are of minor importance compared with sympathetic activity.
Customer Relationship Marketing in Chinese Golf

Golf is considered as a sunny industry by many investors in China, and the number of golf courses is increasing rapidly, however, few golf clubs can make profit. It was found the golf environment in China is quite special through researching. Chinese regard golf not only as a sport but also as a platform to show their social status and develop business. Therefore, Chinese golf clubs must match these special needs in their daily operation and marketing strategy. Customer Relationship Marketing is a suitable marketing theory for Chinese golf clubs to have right marketing strategy and management. Every club may have different way and considerations in real operation, but direct marketing and value-added activities are two useful and common ways can be taken.
OPERATIONAL AUDIT AND COST ALLOCATION ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES - KIGALI, RWANDA

This study on “operational audit and cost allocation on organizational performance in selected Rwanda industries” was conducted with the purpose of highlighting the role of operational audit and cost allocation in organization for the improvement of organizational performance. The study was a descriptive correlational survey and an expost-factor design. The research findings stated that operational audit and cost allocation are indispensable to improve organizational performance. The assessment of effectiveness and efficiency of organization’s units teamed up with maximum utilization and optimum allocation of resources help management to improve organizational performance. This was stated by Pearson’s Linear Correlation coefficient whose calculation gave a positive and significant relationship between operational audit, cost allocation and organizational performance. The Researchers recommended to establish a system of trainings on cost allocation in Rwanda industries and gave emphasis to operational audit and cost allocation as tools of maximizing profits in all organization with business mind instead of increasing selling price.
Replication as Strategy

Replication, a familiar phenomenon sometimes referred to as the "McDonalds approach," entails the creation and operation of a large number of similar outlets that deliver a product or perform a service. Companies pursuing this strategy are now active in over 60 industries. Although replicators are becoming one of the dominant organizational forms of our time, they have been neglected by scholars interested in organizations. As a result of this neglect, replication is typically conceptualized as little more than the exploitation of a simple business formula. Such a view clouds the strategic subtlety of replication by sidestepping the exploration efforts to uncover and develop the best business model as well as the ongoing assessment that precedes large-scale replication of it. Empirical evidence supports an alternative view of replication strategy as a process that involves a regime of exploration in which the business model is created and refined, followed by a phase of exploitation in which the business model is stabilized and leveraged through large-scale replication.In this paper we present the key elements of a theory of replication strategy. We discuss key aspects of a replication strategy, namely the broad scope of knowledge transfer and the role of the central organization, and the analytical concepts of template and Arrow core as a preamble for specifying hypotheses about the conditions under which a replication strategy is more likely to succeed in a competitive setting. Replication strategy provides unusually transparent examples of the process of leveraging knowledge assets; we exploit this in our concluding discussion.