Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mutual Gains or Zero Sum? Labor Relations and Firm Performance in the Airline Industry

The authors examine competing theoretical arguments regarding whether union representation, shared governance, wage levels, and two features of the quality of labor relations—workplace culture and conflict in negotiations—lead to better or worse outcomes for airlines, and they test these interpretations using a mix of historical and quantitative data from major U.S. airlines. Both the qualitative and quantitative results suggest that relational factors—conflict and workplace culture—are more important determinants of performance than the structural factors of unionization, shared governance, and wages. The authors conclude that efforts to recover from the current crisis in the airline industry that depend primarily on reductions in wages or union power will at best bring only short-term relief from immediate financial pressures. Sustained improvement in service quality and financial performance will require more fundamental improvements in the quality of labor relations.
Effect of Moderate Exercise on Serum Lipids in Young Men with Low High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

Fifty-five healthy, sedentary, nonsmoking, and nonobese 24- to 26-year-old men who had low plasma concentrations of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were selected for a study of the effect of short-term exercise on plasma llpld and lipoprotein concentrations. The participants were randomized Into two groups. Of these, 28 were assigned to a 9-week program of submaxlmal aerobic exercise three times weekly, and 27 were assigned to a nonexerclslng control group. Changes In physical fitness were assessed by Increments In estimated maximal oxygen consumption; this Increased by 15% In the exercise group (p<0.001) but remained unchanged In the control group. During the study, body weights and skinfold thicknesses of both groups remained essentially unchanged after 9 weeks. There was no significant difference between the trial groups In total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, calculated low density lipoprotein cholesterol, or in the HDL2 and HDL3 subtractions. Triglycerlde levels were lower by 19 mg/dl In the exercise group as compared to the control group (p<0.05). We conclude that moderate aerobic exercise of 9 weeks duration In the absence of weight loss In young males with Initially low HDL cholesterol did not Influence their HDL cholesterol levels.
Performing Reliable Lens Capsulotomy in the Presence of Corneal Edema With a Femtosecond Laser.

Purpose To determine the effects of the Ziemer LDV Z8 liquid interface femtosecond laser platform during capsulotomy under different energy settings in the presence of corneal edema. Methods Cadaveric porcine eyes (n = 36) employed at less than 6 and greater than 24 post enucleation hours to simulate clear/edematous corneas, underwent capsulotomy with the Ziemer LDV Z8 femtosecond laser (5-mm diameter, energy 90%, 130%, or 150%). Lens capsules were removed for evaluation by scanning electron microscopy and rupture strengths determined by the single column universal testing system. Following ethical approval, 23 patients had lens capsules removed during routine cataract surgery following manual or Z8 capsulotomy and subjected to TUNEL assay. Results There was no difference in edge morphology or rupture strength (120, 113, and 118 mN at increasing energy, P = 0.42) in the clear cornea. Only 50% of capsulotomies succeeded at 90% energy in an edematous cornea, improving with increased energy (75% completion at 130%, 100% at 150%). Rupture strength in edematous corneas was not significantly different at 112, 133, and 114 mN for 90%, 130%, and 150%, respectively (P = 0.3). In human samples, increased TUNEL-positive cells were seen at 130% energy, but not at 150% (0.0 manual vs. 0.2 [90%] vs. 2.1 [130%] vs. 0.6 [150%], P < 0.05). Conclusions Because of the low energy delivered by a femtosecond nanojoule platform, even incremental increases in energy appeared to have minimal effect on lens capsule morphology and strength and negligible influence on cell death. Furthermore, increasing energy appeared to enhance consistency and the ability to complete a capsulotomy in an edematous cornea.
Speeding Up the Identification of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator-Targeted Drugs: An Approach Based on Bioinformatics Strategies and Surface Plasmon Resonance

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is mainly caused by the deletion of Phe 508 (ΔF508) in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein that is thus withheld in the endoplasmic reticulum and rapidly degraded by the ubiquitin/proteasome system. New drugs able to rescue ΔF508-CFTR trafficking are eagerly awaited. An integrated bioinformatics and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) approach was here applied to investigate the rescue mechanism(s) of a series of CFTR-ligands including VX809, VX770 and some aminoarylthiazole derivatives (AAT). Computational studies tentatively identified a large binding pocket in the ΔF508-CFTR nucleotide binding domain-1 (NBD1) and predicted all the tested compounds to bind to three sub-regions of this main pocket. Noticeably, the known CFTR chaperone keratin-8 (K8) seems to interact with some residues located in one of these sub-pockets, potentially interfering with the binding of some ligands. SPR results corroborated all these computational findings. Moreover, for all the considered ligands, a statistically significant correlation was determined between their binding capability to ΔF508-NBD1 measured by SPR and the pockets availability measured by computational studies. Taken together, these results demonstrate a strong agreement between the in silico prediction and the SPR-generated binding data, suggesting a path to speed up the identification of new drugs for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
1 introduction.

Al-4.5Cu-3.4Fe composite was cast in a heated cast iron mould to obtain a structure consisting of needles of brittle Al3Fe intermetallic in a eutectic matrix of Al + Al3Fe. Pieces of this as-cast composite were cut in the form of small bars and deformed to large strain by hot rolling. Tensile tests were carried out on the rolled specimens at room temperature. The associated fracture surfaces were examined under a scanning electron microscope. With an increase in the extent of rolling, the needles of the brittle Al3Fe intermetallic were found to break down into progressively smaller fragments. At the same time the fragmented particles got oriented along the direction of rolling, the extent of orientation increasing with the extent of rolling. A gradual increase in ultimate tensile strength and ductility with an increase in the extent of rolling was observed. The poor mechanical properties of the as-cast composite resulted from the 'coarse crystalline' fracture which was caused by the cracking of the brittle second phase particles (Al3Fe). A transition from the coarse crystalline fracture in the as-cast condition to the form of void growth and void linkage occurred as the extent of rolling increased.
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with use of a single or double-bundle technique in patients with generalized ligamentous laxity.

BACKGROUND In a patient with generalized ligamentous laxity, the risk of instability is greater with a conventionally reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction done with a double-bundle technique with use of a quadriceps tendon-bone autograft and that of a single-bundle reconstruction with use of a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft in patients with generalized ligamentous laxity. METHODS The records of sixty-one patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between June 2002 and October 2005 were evaluated. Thirty-two patients underwent a single-bundle reconstruction (group 1), and twenty-nine patients underwent a double-bundle reconstruction (group 2). Clinical outcomes were determined from data obtained before surgery and at the twenty-four-month follow-up visit. RESULTS Postoperatively, the mean side-to-side difference (and standard deviation) in anterior tibial translation, measured with use of a KT-2000 arthrometer, was greater for group 1 (3.37 +/- 1.76 mm; range, 1.00 to 8.00 mm) than for group 2 (2.03 +/- 1.11 mm; range, 0.00 to 3.50 mm) (p = 0.02). Three patients in group 1 had a grade-1+ pivot shift, while no patient in group 2 had an abnormal pivot shift. The mean score on the Hospital for Special Surgery knee ligament questionnaire was 90.8 in group 1 and 92.1 in group 2, and the mean Lysholm score was 89.4 in group 1 and 91.1 in group 2. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of the evaluation of ligamentous laxity measured by the KT-2000 arthrometer, a double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with use of a quadriceps tendon-bone autograft allows less anterior translation than does a single-bundle reconstruction with use of a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. However, we could not identify a significant difference in the functional outcome between the two techniques.
Deletion of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 from the Peri-Wolffian Duct Stroma Leads to Ureteric Induction Abnormalities and Vesicoureteral Reflux

Purpose Pax3cre-mediated deletion of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (Fgfr2) broadly in renal and urinary tract mesenchyme led to ureteric bud (UB) induction defects and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), although the mechanisms were unclear. Here, we investigated whether Fgfr2 acts specifically in peri-Wolffian duct stroma (ST) to regulate UB induction and development of VUR and the mechanisms of Fgfr2 activity. Methods We conditionally deleted Fgfr2 in ST (Fgfr2ST−/−) using Tbx18cre mice. To look for ureteric bud induction defects in young embryos, we assessed length and apoptosis of common nephric ducts (CNDs). We performed 3D reconstructions and histological analyses of urinary tracts of embryos and postnatal mice and cystograms in postnatal mice to test for VUR. We performed in situ hybridization and real-time PCR in young embryos to determine mechanisms underlying UB induction defects. Results We confirmed that Fgfr2 is expressed in ST and that Fgfr2 was efficiently deleted in this tissue in Fgfr2ST−/− mice at embryonic day (E) 10.5. E11.5 Fgfr2ST−/− mice had randomized UB induction sites with approximately 1/3 arising too high and 1/3 too low from the Wolffian duct; however, apoptosis was unaltered in E12.5 mutant CNDs. While ureters were histologically normal, E15.5 Fgfr2ST−/− mice exhibit improper ureteral insertion sites into the bladder, consistent with the ureteric induction defects. While ureter and bladder histology appeared normal, postnatal day (P) 1 mutants had high rates of VUR versus controls (75% versus 3%, p = 0.001) and occasionally other defects including renal hypoplasia and duplex systems. P1 mutant mice also had improper ureteral bladder insertion sites and shortened intravesicular tunnel lengths that correlated with VUR. E10.5 Fgfr2ST−/− mice had decreases in Bmp4 mRNA in stromal tissues, suggesting a mechanism underlying the ureteric induction and VUR phenotypes. Conclusion Mutations in FGFR2 could possibly cause VUR in humans.
Using the Internet to Support Exercise and Diet: A Stratified Norwegian Survey

Background Internet is used for a variety of health related purposes. Use differs and has differential effects on health according to socioeconomic status. Objective We investigated to what extent the Norwegian population use the Internet to support exercise and diet, what kind of services they use, and whether there are social disparities in use. We expected to find differences according to educational attainment. Methods In November 2013 we surveyed a stratified sample of 2196 persons drawn from a Web panel of about 50,000 Norwegians over 15 years of age. The questionnaire included questions about using the Internet, including social network sites (SNS), or mobile apps in relation to exercise or diet, as well as background information about education, body image, and health. The survey email was opened by 1187 respondents (54%). Of these, 89 did not click on the survey hyperlink (declined to participate), while another 70 did not complete the survey. The final sample size is thus 1028 (87% response rate). Compared to the Norwegian census the sample had a slight under-representation of respondents under the age of 30 and with low education. The data was weighted accordingly before analyses. Results Sixty-nine percent of women and 53% of men had read about exercise or diet on the Internet (χ2= 25.6, P<.001). More people with higher education (71%, χ2=19.1, P<.001), reported this. The same gender difference was found for using Internet-based interventions with 20% of women compared to14% of men reporting having used these interventions (χ2=7.9, P= .005), for having posted a status about exercise or diet on Facebook or other SNS (23% vs 12%, χ2=18.8, P<.001), and for having kept an online exercise or diet journal (21% vs 15%, χ2=7.0, P=.008). Evaluations of own physical appearance accounted for some of the gender differences in using online exercise or diet journals. Seven percent of the total sample reported having used electronic communication to ask professionals about exercise or diet, while a few more had discussed online with peers (10%). Asking professionals online was more common amongst those with only primary education (13%, χ2<10.5, P=.005). Conclusions Gender and education are related to how the Internet is used to support health behaviors. We should be aware of the potential role of the Internet in accelerating social disparities in health, and continue to monitor population use. For Internet- and mobile-based interventions to support health behaviors, this study provides information relevant to tailoring of delivery media and components to user.
An investigation of how culture impacts global work: Unpacking the layers of culture

An appropriate use of various pedagogical strategies is fundamental for the effective transfer of knowledge in a flourishing e-learning environment. The resultant information superfluity, however, needs to be tackled for developing sustainable e-learning. This necessitates an effective representation and intelligent access to learning resources. Topic maps address these problems of representation and retrieval of information in a distributed environment. The former aspect is particularly relevant where the subject domain is complex and the later aspect is important where the amount of resources is abundant but not easily accessible. Conversely, effective presentation of learning resources based on various pedagogical strategies along with global capturing and authentication of learning resources are an intrinsic part of effective management of learning resources. Towards fulfilling this objective, this paper proposes a multi-level ontology-driven topic mapping approach to facilitate an effective visualization, classification and global authoring of learning resources in e-learning.
Alive and kicking–but will Quality Management be around tomorrow? A Swedish academia perspective

The purpose of this article is to describe how Quality Management (QM) is perceived today by scholars at three Swedish universities, and into what QM is expected to develop into in twenty years. Data were collected through structured workshops using affinity diagrams with scholars teaching and performing research in the QM field. The results show that QM currently is perceived as consisting of a set of core of principles, methods and tools. The future outlook includes three possible development directions for QM are seen: [1] searching for a “discipline X” where QM can contribute while keeping its toolbox, [2] focus on a core based on the traditional quality technology toolbox with methods and tools, and [3] a risk that QM, as it is today, may seize to exist and be diffused into other disciplines.
Design, Analysis and Implementation of Modified K-Mean Algorithm for Large Data-Set to Increase Scalability and Efficiency

Clustering is an unsupervised learning technique. The main advantage of clustering analysis is a descriptive task that seeks to identify homogeneous groups of objects based on the values of their attributes. Clustering algorithms can be applied in many domains. we proposed an efficient, modified K-mean clustering algorithm to cluster large data-sets whose objective is to find out the cluster centers which are very close to the final solution for each iterative steps. Clustering is often done as a prelude to some other form of data mining or modeling. Performance of iterative clustering algorithms depends highly on the choice of cluster centers in each step. This algorithm is based on the optimization formulation of the problem and a novel iterative method. The cluster centers computed using this methodology are found to be very close to the desired cluster centers. The experimental results using the proposed algorithm with a group of randomly constructed data sets are very promising. The best algorithm in each category was found out based on their performance.
Gold nanoparticles enhance the effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia therapy

Background and aims Every year, in Europe, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is diagnosed in thousands of adults. For most subtypes of AML, the backbone of treatment was introduced nearly 40 years ago as a combination of cytosine arabinoside with an anthracycline. This therapy is still the worldwide standard of care. Two-thirds of patients achieve complete remission, although most of them ultimately relapse. Since the FLT3 mutation is the most frequent, it serves as a key molecular target for tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that inhibit FLT3 kinase. In this study, we report the conjugation of TKIs onto spherical gold nanoparticles. Materials and methods The internalization of TKI-nanocarriers was proved by the strongly scattered light from gold nanoparticles and was correlated with the results obtained by transmission electron microscopy and dark-field microscopy. The therapeutic effect of the newly designed drugs was investigated by several methods including cell counting assay as well as the MTT assay. Results We report the newly described bioconjugates to be superior when compared with the drug alone, with data confirmed by state-of-the-art analyses of internalization, cell biology, gene analysis for FLT3-IDT gene, and Western blotting to assess degradation of the FLT3 protein. Conclusion The effective transmembrane delivery and increased efficacy validate its use as a potential therapeutic.
' s personal copy Communicative skills that support value creation : A study of B 2 B interactions between customers and customer service representatives

In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Although interaction has been acknowledged as central in value creation there is still a lack of empirical studies on how value creation is accomplished in practice, and in particular how communicative skills support customers' value creation. The purpose of this paper is therefore to generate a deeper understanding of how customer service representatives' communicative skills in conversations with customers support customers' value creation. We argue that value creating processes correspond to customers' roles as " feelers " , " thinkers " and " doers ". Accordingly, value creation involves three interdependent elements, an emotional, a cognitive and a behavioral. Based on a qualitative research design, drawing on an empirical study of 80 telephone conversations between customers and customer service representatives in a business-to-business context, the paper demonstrates three communicative skills that are essential in supporting customers' value creation: attentiveness, perceptiveness and responsiveness. The findings show how employees, by means of these communicative skills support customers' value creation. Attentiveness supports cognitive elements of the customers' value creating processes, whereas perceptiveness supports value creation in terms of cognitive, behavioral and emotional aspects. Finally, responsiveness supports the customer's cognitive as well as behavioral value creation.
An improved fault location method for distribution networks exploiting emerging LV smart meters

In the last years, the electrical distribution systems are undergoing one of their largest transitions in their long history towards smart grids. One of the key requirements and the first step in the path of smart grid is developing and deploying smart metering systems in distribution networks. In this regard, several projects co-funded by the European Commission (EC) have been carried out. FLEXMETER is one of the ongoing EU Horizon 2020 projects aiming at the development and demonstration of a flexible smart metering architecture. In this paper, first the different available measurements in the FLEXMETER project are introduced. Then different fault location methods are compared qualitatively and quantitatively to find the most appropriate one based on the FLEXMETER infrastructure. Finally a combined method as a hybrid solution is proposed to overcome the drawbacks of the previously proposed ones, while keeping their advantages.
High-resolution spatial light modulator

The present spatial light modulator employs an amorphous silicon photoconductor and a nematic liquid crystal to yield 501 p/mm MTF. The resolution is found to be improved by thinning the photoconductor and liquid crystal, as well as through the optimization of the device''s driving condition. Device response is limited by liquid crystal response; it is anticipated that faster response will be possible through the use of a ferroelectric liquid crystal.
The effect of salinity stress on growth parameters, essential oil yield and constituent of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.).

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is one of the most important plants producing essential oil. An experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with 3 replications to study the effect of salinity stress on growth parameters, essential oil constituents and yield of peppermint. Full-strength Hoaglund's solution containing 0, 50, 100 and 150 mmol L NaCl was applied in irrigation plantings for 4 1 months in a greenhouse. The results showed that salinity stress significantly affected Stem length, root length, shoot wet weight, root wet weight and shoot dry weight, root dry weight, Internodes length, stolon length, biomass, Essential oil yield and Essential oil percent in P < 0.05. An increase in the salinity lead to reduce in length of stem and root, fresh weight of stem and root, dry weight of stem and root, internodes length, total biomass and essential oil percent and yield. It is necessary to mention that peppermint did not tolerate 150 mmol L NaCl and died under this condition. The highest values of growth parameters and essential 1 oil percent and yield were observed under non-salinity condition (control). Also, the highest values of Mentone were obtained under non-salinity condition (control) by using GC-MS.