Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adjusting Time Series of Possible Unequal Lengths

Previous researches dealing with combined cross-section/time-series data usually assume that complete time-series exist for all the variables and all the crosssection units under consideration. In many contexts, however, this may be a very restrictive assumption. Our paper is concerned with problems of distance computation when every cross-section unit has contiguous data, but the time frames over which indicators are measured may differ for starting and/or ending dates.
Inhibitory effect of pentoxifylline on the synthesis and deposition of glycosaminoglycans in hypothyroid skin

Abstract The skin manifestations in hypothyroidism are common but their advanced forms do not have adequate therapy. Along with achievement of euthyroidism, thyroid-associated dermatopathy (TAD) needs an inhibition of the proliferation and activation of fibroblasts, and of the glycosaminoglycans synthesis. Pentoxifylline (PTX) exerts multifaceted effects and has shown properties to inhibit certain constitutive activities of dermal fibroblasts. The aim of this study was to determine the histopathological changes and to establish the amount and distribution of mucin in hypothyroid skin, with or without treatment with PTX. Hypothyroid skin showed abundant diffuse mucin deposition in all dermal compartments in comparison with euthyroid skin. After administration of PTX in dose 100 mg/kg daily, there was a significant decreased amount of mucin in the dermis. The improvement of the dermal histological manifestations, in general demonstrated by narrowing between the dermal collagen fibers and by a decrease in mucin deposition, might be explained with dose-dependent PTX inhibition of the synthesis and accumulation of glycosaminoglycans. The histological results of this study confirmed several clinical observations about the beneficial effect of PTX on clinical skin manifestations in hypothyroid state. Therefore, we may propose PTX as a new potential therapeutic agent for TAD treatment. Further studies are needed to fully establish the effect of PTX on dermal fibroblasts after continuous administration.
The feeding ecology of striped bass and the role of ontogeny

Amidst constantly changing biotic and abiotic conditions, a more thorough understanding of the ecological consequences of dynamic predator-prey interactions will likely enable increasingly sustainable fisheries management. This study assessed the diet of striped bass, a generalist marine predator in coastal Massachusetts that feed on a variety of prey species and impose top-down pressure on other important fishery species, such as the American lobster and Atlantic menhaden. We explored the role of ontogeny using both stomach content and stable isotope analyses. Empirical results from 158 striped bass collected in northern Massachusetts revealed that striped bass in this area may have shifted from feeding predominantly on Atlantic menhaden in the late 1990s and early 2000s to Atlantic mackerel in this study. Stable isotope data suggested that the diet of striped bass is significantly linked with ontogeny: larger fish feed more heavily on benthic prey, particularly in the latter half of their seasonal residency in Massachusetts. Our study suggests that large striped bass gain an energetic advantage, as indicated by a liver somatic index, by feeding on benthic prey, possibly due to decreased foraging costs. Collectively, this work illustrates the ability of predatory fish to capitalize on the variability of forage fish populations, but highlights the importance of invertebrate prey for large striped bass and proposes underlying mechanisms driving ontogenetic diet switches from piscivory to benthivory
Provably stable, general purpose projection operators for high-order finite difference methods

A new coupling methodology for coupling high-order accurate, summation-by-parts finite difference methods is proposed. The coupling is based on projecting the finite difference solution along a coupling interface, $\Gamma$, to the Hilbert space $L^2(\Gamma)$; we specifically consider the subspace of piecewise polynomial functions. Once the finite difference solution has been projected into $L^2(\Gamma)$, it is straightforward to couple with any other numerical method which has a similar representation. Namely, we show how this can be used to couple differing finite difference methods, including nonconforming block interfaces, as well an unstructured, triangle-based discontinuous Galerkin method. The projections from the finite difference solution to $L^2(\Gamma)$ are constructed in such a way that energy stability is guaranteed even on curvilinear grids with differing geometry representation's on either side of the interface. Numerical accuracy and stability are also verified through the simulation of the acoustic wave equation on a curvilinear mesh for both coupling differing finite difference methods and coupling a finite difference method with a discontinuous Galerkin method.
What consumer complaints should hoteliers prioritize? Analysis of online reviews under different market segments

ABSTRACT Due to rising competition and resource constraints, hoteliers need to understand which consumer complaints are more important and severe to prioritize, an issue receiving less attention in existing online review-based complaint studies. This study introduced sentiment analysis to assess the extent of complaints; the complaint topic importance was also considered; by modeling these two indicators, Complaint IPA was constructed to determine complaint severity, and thus assist with prioritization issues. The framework was applied to 99,560 online reviews to demonstrate its effectiveness. Further, we analyzed the complaint characteristics in different market segments, including hotel types and consumer types (business vs. leisure). Results show that business consumers have a higher complaint index; compared to midscale and luxury hotels, economy hotels’ consumers have more severe complaints about the Service and Room. This study extends consumer complaint research by proposing a method of complaint severity assessment and revealing complaint characteristics of different market segments.
The Implementation of Reflexive Methodology and a Storyline in Dual-Language Field Research

This article attempts to illustrate the process of incorporating a model of reflexivity into dual- language field research as an alternative method of scientific enquiry. It also contributes to the ongoing discussion regarding how to approach reflexivity in a methodologically consistentmanner. The study is rooted in classical grounded theory and therefore it did not attempt to test or expand upon any existing or preconceived theory. However, it began with a research question on how mainstream curricula address the nature of minority cultural diversity. The research was conducted in primary schools in Texas in the United States, where dual-language curricula incorporate cultural aspects of students’ backgrounds. An overt non-participantobservation research technique was applied. The researcher was observing in an unobtrusive manner and making notes within the study environment. The codes and concepts emerging from the data were “put into dialogue” with the researcher’s voice, existing concepts and knowledge. The dialogue took place before, during, and after data collection as part of a literature review, and later to discuss the concepts and categories that emerged from the data. A storyline is used here to present the findings and emerging theories. This study demonstrates that the use of the model of reflexivity in GT research strengthens the rigor of the research process and the development of the researcher.
The impact of chronic disease and accompanying bio-psycho-social factors on health-related quality of life

Background: Most chronic illnesses lead to poor health outcomes. Bio-psycho-social sequelae and accompanying depression lead to further deterioration in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study explored the HRQoL of patients with major chronic diseases in a public tertiary health care institution in Trinidad and Tobago. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of adult patients with chronic illnesses in a public health institute in Trinidad. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews and consenting patients' records. A 43-item questionnaire comprising demographic, medical, and lifestyle questions, the nine-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) on depression, and the EQ-5D-5L HRQoL questionnaire were used. Psychological and social variables were divided into six groups: Group 1 (community attachment variables), Group 2 (family and friends), Group 3 (life satisfaction), Group 4 (depression symptoms), Group 5 (social support), and Group 6 (lifestyle variables). The impact of these variables on HRQoL was investigated using regression and canonical correlation analysis. Results: Patients were primarily female (70.3%), Indo-Trinidadian (63.9%), having diabetes mellitus (46.0%) or cancer (35.8%). The quality of life was lower than Trinidad and Tobago EQ-5D-5L population norms. Females and older patients had worse HRQoL than males and younger patients, respectively. Furthermore, kidney failure, all cancer patients, and middle-aged female cancer patients fared worse than other categories. Life satisfaction and exercise were significantly associated with better HRQoL. Depressive symptoms were consistently and significantly negatively associated with HRQoL. Conclusions: HRQoL was lower among participants with chronic disease than in the general population. Depressive symptoms led to worse HRQoL, whereas life satisfaction and exercise significantly improved HRQoL. The EQ-5D dimension most frequently affected was anxiety/depression.
The Finite Element Method in Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics

EQUATIONS OF HEAT TRANSFER AND FLUID MECHANICS Present Study Governing Equations of a Continuum Governing Equations in Terms of Primitive Variables Porous Flow Equations Auxiliary Transport Equations sChemically Reacting Systems Boundary Conditions sChange of Phase Enclosure Radiation Summary of Equations THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD: AN OVERVIEW Model Differential Equation Finite Element Approximation Weighted-Integral Statements and Weak Forms Finite Element Model Interpolation Functions Assembly of Elements Time-Dependent Problems Axisymmetric Problems Convective Boundary Conditions Library of Finite Elements Numerical Integration Modeling Considerations Illustrative Examples 3D CONDUCTION HEAT TRANSFER Semidiscrete Finite Element Model Interpolation Functions Numerical Integration Computation of Surface Fluxes Semidiscrete Finite Element Model Solution of Nonlinear Equations Radiation Solution Algorithms Variable Properties sPost-Processing Operations sAdvanced Topics in Conduction sExamples of Diffusion Problems VISCOUS INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOWS Mixed Finite Element Model Penalty Finite Element Models Finite Element Models of Porous Flow Computational Considerations Solution of Nonlinear Equations Time-Approximation Schemes sStabilized Methods Post-Processing sAdvanced Topics Advanced Topics - Turbulence Numerical Examples CONVECTIVE HEAT TRANSFER Mixed Finite Element Model Penalty Finite Element Model Finite Element Models of Porous Flow Solution Methods Convection with Change of Phase Convection with Enclosure Radiation Post-Computation of Heat Flux Advanced Topics - Turbulent Heat Transfer Advanced Topics - Chemically Reacting Systems Numerical Examples sNON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS Governing Equations of Inelastic Fluids Finite Element Models of Inelastic Fluids Solution Methods for Inelastic Fluids Governing Equations of Viscoelastic Fluids Finite Element Model of Differential Form Finite Element Model of Integral Form Unresolved Problems Numerical Examples sCOUPLED PROBLEMS Coupled Boundary Value Problems Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer Solid Mechanics Electromagnetics Coupled Problems in Mechanics Implementation of Coupled Algorithms Numerical Examples sADVANCED TOPICS Parallel Processing Other Topics Note: Chapters also include an Introduction, Exercises, and References APPENDIX A: COMPUTER PROGRAM--HEATFLOW Heat Transfer and Related Problems Flows of Viscous Incompressible Fluids Description of the Input Data A Source Listings of Selective Subroutines Reference sAPPENDIX B: SOLUTION OF LINEAR EQUATIONS Introduction Direct Methods Iterative Methods References for Additional Reading sAPPENDIX C: FIXED POINT METHODS AND CONTRACTION MAPPINGS Fixed Point Theorem Chord Method Newton's Method The Newton-Raphson Method Descent Methods References for Additional Reading
Characterization of Non-Invasively Induced Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis in Mice

The pathophysiology of post-traumatic arthritis (PTOA) is not fully understood. This study used non-invasive repetitive mechanical loading (ML) mouse models to study biochemical, biomechanical, and pain-related behavioral changes induced in mice. Mouse models reflected the effects of the early stages of PTOA in humans. For the PTOA model, cyclic comprehensive loading (9N) was applied to each mouse’s left knee joint. ML-induced biochemical and molecular changes were analyzed after loading completion. Cartilage samples were examined using gene expression analysis. Tissue sections were used in subsequent OA severity scoring. Biomechanical features and pain-related behavior were studied after 24 h and three weeks post-ML sessions to examine the development of PTOA. The loaded left knee joint showed a greater ROS/RNS signal than the right knee, which was not loaded. There was a significant increase in cartilage damage and MMP activity in the mechanically loaded joints relative to non-loaded control knee joints. Similarly, we found a difference in the viscoelastic tangent, which highlights significant changes in mechanical properties. Biochemical analyses revealed significant increases in total NO, caspase-3 activity, H2O2, and PGE2 levels. Gene expression analysis highlighted increased catabolism (MMP-13, IL-1β, TNF-α) with a concomitant decrease in anabolism (ACAN, COL2A1). Histopathology scores clearly indicated increases in OA progression and synovitis. The gait pattern was significantly altered, suggesting signs of joint damage. This study showed that biomechanical, biochemical, and behavioral characteristics of the murine PTOA groups are significantly different from the control group. These results confirm that the current mouse model can be considered for translational PTOA studies.
Empowerment Mitigates Gender Differences in Tertius Iungens Brokering

Tertius iungens brokering that brings together people who might not otherwise meet is crucial for organizational effectiveness. But we know little about whether and why women and men differ in their propensity to engage in this brokering. Our paper focuses on the origins and mitigation of gender differences in the propensity to bring people together. In study 1, we showed that the Totterdell et al. [Totterdell P, Holman D, Hukin A (2008) Social networkers: Measuring and examining individual differences in propensity to connect with others. Soc. Networks 30(4):283–296] propensity-to-join-others scale that we used in study 2 and the Obstfeld [Obstfeld D (2005) Social networks, the tertius iungens orientation, and involvement in innovation. Admin. Sci. Quart. 50(1):100–130] tertius iungens scale overlapped not only conceptually, but also empirically, and that these measures of tertius iungens were distinct from mediation- and separation-brokering propensities [Grosser TJ, Obstfeld D, Labianca G, Borgatti SP (2019) Measuring mediation and separation brokerage orientations: A further step toward studying the social network brokerage process. Acad. Management Discoveries 5(2):114–136]. In study 2, we used a natural experiment to examine the tertius iungens brokering propensities of 876 identical and 625 fraternal same-sex twins. We found that brokering propensity was lower for women than for men, although the propensity toward sociability in terms of making friends and acquaintances was lower for men. We also found that for women, relative to men, tertius iungens brokering propensity was largely affected by environmental influences, such as the experience of stereotyping and discrimination, rather than representing an inherited disposition. Moreover, the differences between men and women with respect to brokering were mitigated for empowered samples, such as well-educated or entrepreneurial individuals. Our research asks new questions about how environmental pressures and empowerment affect social networking. Gender differences in brokering may be amenable to mitigation through empowering practices that include education and entrepreneurial experience.
The structure of two generalization of the symmetric inverse semigroups

We introduce two generalisations of the full symmetric inverse semigroup ${\mathcal{I}}_X$ and its dual semigroup ${\mathcal{I}^{\ast}}_X$ -- inverse semigroups ${\mathcal{PI}^{\ast}}_X$ and ${\overline{\mathcal{PI}^{\ast}}}_X$. Both of them have the same carrier and contain $\IS_X$. Binary operations on ${\mathcal{PI}^{\ast}}_X$ and ${\overline{\mathcal{PI}^{\ast}}}_X$ are reminiscent of the multiplication in ${\mathcal{I}}_X$. We use a convenient geometric way to realise elements from these two semigroups. This enables us to study efficiently their inner properties and to compare them with the corresponding properties of $\IS_X$ and ${\mathcal{I}^{\ast}}_X$.
Effect of ferrite grain shape in friction element welds on cross tension strength

Abstract High-strength steels (HSSs) have been increasingly used in car bodies in order to simultaneously achieve the weight reduction and high collision safety of vehicles. In resistance spot welding, which is widely used for joining car bodies, low cross tension strength (CTS) of joints using HSSs is a problem. In our previous study, we focused on friction element welding (FEW) of HSSs to improve CTS and reported that the poor local ductility of the area quenched from two-phase temperature region (inter-critically annealed and quenched area) due to the presence of soft ferrite (α) and hard martensite (M) causes a decrease in CTS of FEW. The local ductility of steels with dual phase structure is known to be affected by the microstructural morphology. Therefore, in this study, we prepared joints of FEW with both the equiaxial α (C30) and the acicular α (C30L) in dual phase structure by controlling parent structures prior to the inter-critical annealing and quenching during FEW. C30L exhibited the higher CTS than C30. C30L fractured along the thickness direction of the lower sheet from the inter-critically annealed and quenched area near the edge of the joint to the softened area of heat affected zone, while C30 fractured along the inter-critically annealed and quenched area; however, the dimples were observed on the fracture surfaces irrespective of materials. Taking into account the fact that C30 and C30L showed no difference in the hardness distribution of the joints and the hardness difference between α and M hardness, it was suggested that morphology of α plays an important role in determining CTS. It is inferred that the local strain concentration in the inter-critically annealed and quenched area is relaxed by the presence of fine acicular α, which leads to the improvement of the local ductility, i.e. CTS.
A Higgs free model for fundamental interactions. Part 1: Formulation of the model

We show that the local conformal group $C$ is a natural symmetry group of strong, electroweak and gravitational interactions. A model for these interactions invariant under the local symmetry group $G=SU(3)\times SU(2)_{L}\times U(1)\times C$ is postulated. It contains all Standard Model and gravitational fields, however the Higgs mass term $\mu^2\Phi^{\dagger}\Phi$ is forbidden. Using the unitary gauge and the conformal scale fixing conditions we can eliminate all four real components of the Higgs field in this model. In spite of that the tree level masses of vector mesons, leptons and quarks are automatically generated and they are given by the same formulas as in the conventional Standard Model. The gravitational sector of the model is also analyzed and it is shown that the model admits in the classical limit the Einsteinian form of gravitational interactions. We propose several experimental tests which can discriminate between the Higgs-Free and the Standard Models.
Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, and Tryptophan Undergo Self-Aggregation in Similar and Different Manners

Phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan are aromatic amino acids, and they are of high interest in both health science and biotechnology. These amino acids form organized structures, like fibrils and nanotubes. Although these amino acids belong to the same family, they still differ from each other with respect to polarity, hydrophobicity as well as internal structures. In this work, we performed extensive molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the dynamics of the self-aggregations of these amino acids and studied the details of the formed structures. The amino acid monomers placed in water were simulated at a constant temperature. It has been observed that they compose nanostructures with similarities and differences.
Higher-order relaxations for robust LMI problems with verifications for exactness

Robust semi-definite programming problems are know to have a wide range of applications, in particular in robust control. For rational uncertainty dependence, the full block S-procedure allows to systematically construct relaxations for the computation of guaranteed bounds. Typically these relaxations are conservative (causing a gap between actual and computed optimal values) since they involve the approximation of a set of so-called multipliers. The main purpose of this paper is to suggest a novel sequence of multiplier approximations which can be exploited in computations and which can be proved to be asymptotically exact. The second goal is to provide a numerical test for checking whether relaxations are exact (thus guaranteeing the absence of conservatism) which extends a recently formulated general principle to synthesis problems. We discuss the practical relevance of our results for LPV synthesis, and we illustrate them in terms of a numerical example.
An Oleocanthal-Enriched EVO Oil Extract Induces the ROS Production in Gastric Cancer Cells and Potentiates the Effect of Chemotherapy

Oleocanthal, a minor polar compound in extra-virgin olive (EVO) oil, contains anticancer properties, which should be encouraged in its use in oncology. Gastric Cancer (GC), a very aggressive human cancer, is often diagnosed at advanced stages, when surgery is substituted or supported by chemotherapy (CT). However, CT frequently fails due to the patient’s resistance to the treatment. Thus, the aim of this study is to verify whether an OC-enriched EVO oil extract fraction (OCF) may be useful in order to overcome a resistance to GC. We evaluated the OCF effects on an AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cell line wild type (AGS wt) and on its subpopulations resistant to 5-fluorouracil (5FUr), Paclitaxel (TAXr) or cisplatin (CISr). We found that a 60 µM dose of the OCF acts on the AGS wt, 5FUr and TAXr, leading to the cell cycle inhibition and to a ROS production, but not on CISr cells. Resistance of CISr to the OCF seems to be due to higher levels of antioxidant-enzymes that can counteract the OCF-induced ROS production. Moreover, using the OCF plus 5-fluorouracil, Paclitaxel or cisplatin, we found a potentiating effect compared with a mono-treatment in all resistant GC cells, including CISr. In conclusion, the use of the OCF in the management of GC has shown very interesting advantages, opening-up the possibility to evaluate the efficacy of the OCF in vivo, as a valid adjuvant in the treatment of resistant GC.