Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internet-Based Communication in Crisis Management

This article examines how organizations integrate the Internet into crisis communication. Results suggest four findings about Internet usage in crisis. First, a majority of the organizations studied are turning to the Internet to communicate with the public and the news media during a crisis. Second, organizational type does not appear to be a factor in the integration of the Internet in crisis response with financial organizations, new technology organizations, and consumer product organizations as the most frequent adopters. Third, crisis type does not appear to be a factor in an organization’s decision to use the Internet in its immediate crisis response. Fourth, although most organizations are incorporating both traditional and new media communication tactics into their responses to crisis, there is a continued preference for traditional tactics. These findings illustrate how mediated communication may create new possibilities for crisis response and are translated into suggestions for how managers can integrate new media into their mix of communication tactics in crisis management.
Image Denoising with Shrinkage and Redundant Representations

Shrinkage is a well known and appealing denoising technique. The use of shrinkage is known to be optimal for Gaussian white noise, provided that the sparsity on the signal’s representation is enforced using a unitary transform. Still, shrinkage is also practiced successfully with nonunitary, and even redundant representations. In this paper we shed some light on this behavior. We show that simple shrinkage could be interpreted as the first iteration of an algorithm that solves the basis pursuit denoising (BPDN) problem. Thus, this work leads to a novel iterative shrinkage algorithm that can be considered as an effective pursuit method. We demonstrate this algorithm, both on synthetic data, and for the image denoising problem, where we learn the image prior parameters directly from the given image. The results in both cases are superior to several popular alternatives.
Numerical Signatures of Antipatterns: An Approach Based on B-Splines

Antipatterns are poor object-oriented solutions to recurring design problems. The identification of occurrences of antipatterns in systems has received recently some attention but current approaches have two main limitations: either (1) they classify classes strictly as being or not antipatterns, and thus cannot report accurate information for borderline classes, or (2) they return the probabilities of classes to be antipatterns but they require an expensive tuning by experts to have acceptable accuracy. To mitigate such limitations, we introduce a new identification approach, ABS (Antipattern identification using B-Splines), based on a numerical analysis technique. The results of a preliminary study show that ABS generally outperforms previous approaches in terms of accuracy when used to identify Blobs.
Exploiting short-term memory in soft body dynamics as a computational resource

Soft materials are not only highly deformable, but they also possess rich and diverse body dynamics. Soft body dynamics exhibit a variety of properties, including nonlinearity, elasticity and potentially infinitely many degrees of freedom. Here, we demonstrate that such soft body dynamics can be employed to conduct certain types of computation. Using body dynamics generated from a soft silicone arm, we show that they can be exploited to emulate functions that require memory and to embed robust closed-loop control into the arm. Our results suggest that soft body dynamics have a short-term memory and can serve as a computational resource. This finding paves the way towards exploiting passive body dynamics for control of a large class of underactuated systems.
Salbutamol Up-regulates PDE4 Activity and Induces a Heterologous Desensitization of U937 Cells to Prostaglandin E2

Previous studies with U937 cells, a human monocyte cell line, have shown that the activity of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is increased by agents that elevate cyclic AMP content. The present experiments were conducted to determine 1) whether an increase in PDE4 steady-state message and/or protein accompanies the up-regulation of PDE4 activity and 2) whether the up-regulation changes the functional responses of U937 cells to activators of adenylyl cyclase. To up-regulate PDE4 activity, U937 cells were treated for 4 h with a combination of 1 μM salbutamol, a β-adrenoceptor agonist, and 30 μM rolipram, a PDE4 inhibitor. Cells were washed extensively to remove drugs and used immediately in various experimental protocols. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions conducted with primers specific for the four PDE4 subtypes suggested that pretreatment with salbutamol and rolipram increased steady-state mRNA levels of PDE4A and PDE4B, but not PDE4C or PDE4D. Immunoblot analyses using two rabbit polyclonal antibodies, one directed against human recombinant PDE4A and PDE4D and a second directed against human recombinant PDE4B, revealed bands of immunoreactivity corresponding to ∼125 kDa (PDE4A) and ∼70 kDa (PDE4B), respectively, that increased in intensity after cells were treated with salbutamol and rolipram. As demonstrated in both time course and concentration-response studies with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an agent that activates adenylyl cyclase by a non-β-adrenoceptor-mediated mechanism, cAMP accumulation was substantially decreased in cells in which PDE4 activity had been up-regulated. The difference in PGE2-stimulated cAMP accumulation between control and PDE4 up-regulated cells was greatly reduced in the presence of rolipram, consistent with the notion that an increase in PDE4 activity was responsible for the heterologous desensitization. Functionally, up-regulation of PDE4 markedly decreased the ability of PGE2 to inhibit LTD4-induced Ca2+ mobilization in intact cells. A hypothetical implication of these results is that increasing PDE4 activity in vivo by administering β-adrenoceptor agonists could exacerbate inflammatory processes by decreasing the activity of endogenous anti-inflammatory agents such as PGE2.
Broadband Radiation from Primary Electrons in Very Energetic Supernovae

A class of very energetic supernovae (hypernovae) is associated with long gamma-ray bursts, in particular with a less energetic but more frequent population of gamma-ray bursts. Hypernovae also appear to be associated with mildly relativistic jets or outflows, even in the absence of gamma-ray bursts. Here we consider radiation from charged particles accelerated in such mildly relativistic outflows with kinetic energies of ~1050 ergs. The radiation processes of the primarily accelerated electrons considered are synchrotron radiation and inverse Compton scattering of synchrotron photons (synchrotron self-Compton; SSC) and of supernova photons (external inverse Compton; EIC). In the soft X-ray regime, both the SSC and EIC flux can be the dominant component, but due to their very different spectral shapes, it should be easy to distinguish between them. When the fraction of the kinetic energy going into the electrons (ϵe) is large, the SSC is expected to be important; otherwise, the EIC will dominate. The EIC flux is quite high, almost independently of ϵe, providing a good target for X-ray telescopes such as XMM-Newton and Chandra. In the GeV gamma-ray regime, the EIC would be the dominant radiation process and the Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST, which has been renamed the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telesope) should be able to probe the value of ϵe, the spectrum of the electrons, and their maximum acceleration energy. Accelerated protons also lead to photon radiation through the secondary electrons produced by the photopion and photopair processes. We find that over a significant range of parameters the proton component is generally less prominent than the primary electron component. We discuss the prospects for the detection of the X-ray and GeV signatures of the mildly relativistic outflow of hypernovae.
Accelerating Adaptive Processes: Product Innovation in the Global Computer Industry

The research was very generously supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and was conducted while the first author was the Finmeccanica Faculty Scholar. We appreciate the many contributions made by members of the Stanford-McKinsey-Augsburg research team. We also benefitted immensely from the very helpful advice of Shona Brown, Lee Fleming, Charlie Galunic, Andy Hargadon, Jim Jucker, Bob Keeley, Neil Kane, Laura Kopczak, Garry Marchant, Anne Miner, Christine Oliver, Bob Sutton, Marcie Tyre, Mark Zbaracki, Harvard and Stanford seminar participants, and our three anonymous reviewers. This paper contrasts two theoretical models for firms' achieving fast adaptation through product innovation. The compression model assumes a well-known, rational process and relies on squeezing together or compressing the sequential steps of such a process. The experiential model assumes an uncertain process and relies on improvisation, real-time experience, and flexibility. The two models are tested using data from 72 product development projects drawn from European, Asian, and U.S. computer firms. The results indicate that using an experiential strategy of multiple design iterations, extensive testing, frequent project milestones, a powerful project leader, and a multifunctional team accelerates product development. In contrast, the compression strategy of supplier involvement, use of computer-aided design, and overlapping development steps describes fast pace only for mature industry segments. The results also show that planning and rewarding for schedule attainment are ineffective ways of accelerating pace. We conclude with linkages to punctuated equilibrium and selection models of adaptation, fast organizational processes, organic versus improvisational structures, and complexity theory. '
Using CBM To Explore a Consequential Basis for the Validity of a State-Wide Performance Assessment

This study examines the consequences of a state-wide performance assessment program using Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM). CBM reading and writing measures were administered three times during the school year in two fifth-grade classrooms that were participating in a state-wide school accountability program employing an extended performance task. We found significant gains in written expression but no progress in reading. We concluded that this finding probably reflected an increased amount of time spent in classroom writing activities in preparation for the performance assessment. Both CBM and performance assessment are viewed as important tools for building systemically valid classroom assessment programs.
Selfish in the End?:An Investigation of Consistency and Stability of individual Behavior

This paper puts three of the most prominent specifications of ‘other-regarding’ preferences to the experimental test, namely the theories developed by Charness and Rabin, by Fehr and Schmidt, and by Andreoni and Miller. In a series of experiments based on various dictator and prisoner’s dilemma games, we try to uncover which of these concepts, or the classical selfish approach, is able to explain most of our experimental findings. The experiments are special with regard to two aspects: First, we investigate the consistency of individual behavior within and across different classes of games. Second, we analyze the stability of individual behavior over time by running the same experiments on the same subjects at several points in time. Our results demonstrate that in the first wave of experiments, all theories of other-regarding preferences explain a high share of individual decisions. Other-regarding preferences seem to wash out over time, however. In the final wave, it is the classical theory of selfish behavior that delivers the best explanation. Stable behavior over time is observed only for subjects, who behave strictly selfish. Most subjects behave consistently with regard to at least one of the theories within the same class of games, but are much less consistent across games.
BigSparse: High-performance external graph analytics

We present BigSparse, a fully external graph analytics system that picks up where semi-external systems like FlashGraph and X-Stream, which only store vertex data in memory, left off. BigSparse stores both edge and vertex data in an array of SSDs and avoids random updates to the vertex data, by first logging the vertex updates and then sorting the log to sequentialize accesses to the SSDs. This newly introduced sorting overhead is reduced significantly by interleaving sorting with vertex reduction operations. In our experiments on a server with 32GB to 64GB of DRAM, BigSparse outperforms other in-memory and semi-external graph analytics systems for algorithms such as PageRank, BreadthFirst Search, and Betweenness-Centrality for terabyte-size graphs with billions of vertices. BigSparse is capable of highspeed analytics of much larger graphs, on the same machine configuration.
CENTER FOR EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES DEPRESSION SCALE (CES-D) FACTOR STRUCTURE AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS: ASSOCIATIONS WITH PAIN AND DISABILITY

II DEDICATION III LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS V INTRODUCTION 1 METHODS 10 SAMPLE AND PROCEDURES 10 MEASURES 12 ANALYTIC PLAN 13 RESULTS 18 DISCUSSION 26 REFERENCES 32 APPENDIX 38
STEADFAST: Psychotherapeutic Intervention Improves Postural Strategy of Somatoform Vertigo and Dizziness

Patients with somatoform vertigo and dizziness (SVD) disorders often report instability of stance or gait and fear of falling. Posturographic measurements indeed indicated a pathological postural strategy. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational short-term intervention (PTI) using static posturography and psychometric examination. Seventeen SVD patients took part in the study. The effects of PTI on SVD were evaluated with quantitative static posturography. As primary endpoint a quotient characterizing the relation between horizontal and vertical sway was calculated (Q H/V), reflecting the individual postural strategy. Results of static posturography were compared to those of age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers (n = 28); baseline measurements were compared to results after PTI. The secondary endpoint was the participation-limiting consequences of SVD as measured by the Vertigo Handicap Questionnaire (VHQ). Compared to the healthy volunteers, the patients with SVD showed a postural strategy characterized by stiffening-up that resulted in a significantly reduced body sway quotient before PTI (patients: Q H/V = 0.31 versus controls: Q H/V = 0.38; p = 0.022). After PTI the postural behavior normalized, and psychological distress was reduced. PTI therefore appears to modify pathological balance behaviour. The postural strategy of patients with SVD possibly results from anxious anticipatory cocontraction of the antigravity muscles.
MerTK Is a Functional Regulator of Myelin Phagocytosis by Human Myeloid Cells

Multifocal inflammatory lesions featuring destruction of lipid-rich myelin are pathologic hallmarks of multiple sclerosis. Lesion activity is assessed by the extent and composition of myelin uptake by myeloid cells present in such lesions. In the inflamed CNS, myeloid cells are comprised of brain-resident microglia, an endogenous cell population, and monocyte-derived macrophages, which infiltrate from the systemic compartment. Using microglia isolated from the adult human brain, we demonstrate that myelin phagocytosis is dependent on the polarization state of the cells. Myelin ingestion is significantly enhanced in cells exposed to TGF-β compared with resting basal conditions and markedly reduced in classically activated polarized cells. Transcriptional analysis indicated that TGF-β–treated microglia closely resembled M0 cells. The tyrosine kinase phagocytic receptor MerTK was one of the most upregulated among a select number of differentially expressed genes in TGF-β–treated microglia. In contrast, MerTK and its known ligands, growth arrest-specific 6 and Protein S, were downregulated in classically activated cells. MerTK expression and myelin phagocytosis were higher in CNS-derived microglia than observed in monocyte-derived macrophages, both basally and under all tested polarization conditions. Specific MerTK inhibitors reduced myelin phagocytosis and the resultant anti-inflammatory biased cytokine responses for both cell types. Defining and modulating the mechanisms that regulate myelin phagocytosis has the potential to impact lesion and disease evolution in multiple sclerosis. Relevant effects would include enhancing myelin clearance, increasing anti-inflammatory molecule production by myeloid cells, and thereby permitting subsequent tissue repair.
Content routing: a scalable architecture for network-based information discovery

This thesis presents a new architecture for information discovery based on a hierarchy of content routers that provide both browsing and search services to end users. Content routers catalog information servers, which may in turn be other content routers. The resulting hierarchy of content routers and leaf servers provides a rich set of services to end users for locating information, including query re nement and query routing. Query re nement helps a user improve a query fragment to describe the user's interests more precisely. Once a query has been re ned and describes a manageable result set, query routing automatically forwards the query to relevant servers. These services make use of succinct descriptions of server contents called content labels. A unique contribution of this research is the demonstration of a scalable discovery architecture based on a hierarchical approach to routing. Results from four prototype content routing systems, based on both le system (NFS) and information system (HTTP) protocols, illustrate the practicality and utility of the content routing architecture. The experimental systems built using these prototypes provide access to local databases and le systems as well as over 500 Internet WAIS servers. Experimental work shows that system supported query re nement services provide users with an essential tool to manage the large number of matches that naive queries routinely generate in a large information system. Experience with the prototype systems suggests that the content routing architecture may scale to very large networks. Thesis Supervisor: David K. Gi ord Title: Professor of Computer Science
Learning Styles a Potential Predictor of Student Achievement in Remote and Virtual Laboratory Classes

Remote and virtual laboratories are becoming increasingly prevalent as ways of providing engineering students with the laboratory learning experience. Previous literature suggests that there may be differences in the nature of these learning experiences, leading to difference in the learning outcomes achieved by students exposed to these different access modes. This paper investigates the impact of the students' preferred learning styles upon these changes in learning outcomes. This study shows that for some learning outcomes, the differences are not dependent solely upon access mode, but rather upon the interaction of access mode and learning style. Some styles are more susceptible to mode-based variations, whilst others show little change between the modes. This suggests that the students' preferred learning styles may be a potential diagnostic tool for determining which access mode will most enhance a given student's learning opportunities.
Influence of MDM2 polymorphisms on squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Purpose Controversial associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2279744, rs937283, rs3730485) of the MDM2 gene and the etiology of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) have been reported. This merits further comprehensive assessment. Materials and methods We systematically reviewed the available data and conducted an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the genetic effect of MDM2 polymorphisms in SCC susceptibility, using Stata/SE 12.0 software. Results After screening, 7,987 SCC cases and 12,954 controls from 26 eligible case–control studies were enrolled. Overall, compared with the control group, a significantly increased SCC risk was observed for the MDM2 rs2279744 polymorphism in the Asian population (test of association: odds ratio [OR] 1.12, P=0.027 for G vs T; OR 1.26, P=0.016 for GG vs TT; OR 1.25, P<0.001 for GG vs TT + TG; and OR 1.08, P=0.023 for carrier G vs T). In subgroup analysis by SCC type, a similarly increased esophageal SCC risk was detected (OR 1.19, P<0.001 for G vs T; OR 1.46, P<0.001 for GG vs TT; and OR 1.48, P=0.005 for GG vs TT + TG). Furthermore, MDM2–TP53 double mutation was statistically associated with increased SCC susceptibility overall (OR 1.52, P=0.001), especially in the Asian population (OR 1.49, P=0.022). However, no significant difference between the control and case groups was obtained for MDM2 rs937283 or rs3730485 under any genetic model (all P>0.05). Conclusion Our results highlight a positive association between the GG genotype of MDM2 rs2279744 polymorphism and an increased risk of esophageal SCC in the Asian population, which needs to be clarified by more large-scale studies.
A Path Model of Perceived Organizational Support

According to the social exchange model of perceived organizational support (Eisenherger, Htmtingtrm, Hutchison. & Sowa. I9fi6) employees exchange their loyalty and effort for material and . social rewards from the organization. Employees' perceptions of support from the organization serve as the link between actions taken hy the organization and actions taken by the employee. Surveys measuring employees' perceptions of the organization's actions (i.e., role ambiguity, role conflict, decision centralization. supervi,wr consideration, and participation in decision making) were administered to a sample of 205 members of the faculty and staff of a large western state universit\. Path analysis provided results that were consistent with the social exchange model. Employees' perceptions of the organization's actions had direct effects on their perceptions of support from their supervisors, management and the organization, but did not have direct effects on their commitment to the organization. Consistent with the social exchange model, only employees' perceptions of support from the organization had direct ^effects on their commitment to the organization. Eisenberger, Huntington, Hutchison, and Sowa (1986) proposed that employees' commitment to their organization is based, in part, on their perception of the organization's commitment to them. This built on Blau's (1964) description of social exchange as an opwn-ended stream of transactions that result in diffuse and unspecified obligations on the part of both parties involved in social interaction. The organization's commitment to its employees was conceptualized as the employees' perceptions of support from the organization (i.e., perceived organizational support). Several studies have reported that employees with high levels of perceived organizational support are absent less often and are more conscientious about carrying out their work responsibilities than are employees with low levels of perceived organizational support (Eisenberger etal., 1986; Eisenberger, Fasolo,&Davis-LaMastro, 1990). Author's Note: t would like lo thank Martin Chemers, H. Kandy Rohde. and Rick Crandall for helpful comments on earlier drafts of this article.