Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrin α5β1 facilitates cancer cell invasion through enhanced contractile forces

Cell migration through connective tissue, or cell invasion, is a fundamental biomechanical process during metastasis formation. Cell invasion usually requires cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix through integrins. In some tumors, increased integrin expression is associated with increased malignancy and metastasis formation. Here, we have studied the invasion of cancer cells with different α5β1 integrin expression levels into loose and dense 3D collagen fiber matrices. Using a cell sorter, we isolated from parental MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells two subcell lines expressing either high or low amounts of α5β1 integrins (α5β1high or α5β1low cells, respectively). α5β1high cells showed threefold increased cell invasiveness compared to α5β1low cells. Similar results were obtained for 786-O kidney and T24 bladder carcinoma cells, and cells in which the α5 integrin subunit was knocked down using specific siRNA. Knockdown of the collagen receptor integrin subunit α2 also reduced invasiveness, but to a lesser degree than knockdown of integrin subunit α5. Fourier transform traction microscopy revealed that the α5β1high cells generated sevenfold greater contractile forces than α5β1low cells. Cell invasiveness was reduced after addition of the myosin light chain kinase inhibitor ML-7 in α5β1high cells, but not in α5β1low cells, suggesting that α5β1 integrins enhance cell invasion through enhanced transmission and generation of contractile forces.
An ultra low-power adiabatic adder embedded in a standard 0.13/spl mu/m CMOS environment

An adiabatic 8-bit ripple carry adder is realized in a 1.2V, 0.13/spl mu/m CMOS technology, to demonstrate the potential of adiabatic logic for low power applications. The layout of the adiabatic back is compatible with static CMOS standard cells. This enables the implementation of large adiabatic circuit blocks with manageable design complexity. At f=20 MHz, the energy is by a factor of 7 lower than in static CMOS, and energy saving is achievable beyond f=100MHz. Interface circuits are presented for the conversion between adiabatic and static CMOS environment. The energy efficiency of a complete adiabatic system is evaluated including a four-phase trapezoidal power clock generator, obtaining an energy saving by a factor of 6 at f=20 MHz.
A simple procedure for estimation of total body surface area and determination of a new value of Meeh's constant in rats

Precise calculation of total body surface area (TBSA) or premarked surface areas (P-MSAs) is of great importance in many biomedical applications. The aim of the paper was to present a simple procedure of measurement of P-MSAs in small animals and to determine a more accurate Meeh's constant (k), for a commonly used weight range of laboratory rats. A series of 30 Wistar rats, weighing 195–240 g, were anaesthetized and weighted. The TBSA of each animal was measured using a clear pocket and a planimeter. The data obtained were entered into the Meeh's formula (TBSA = kW 2/3), the most commonly used for small experimental animals, so that a k value for each animal as well as a mean k value (9.83) were obtained. The TBSA of the animals was also calculated using the aforementioned mean k value and compared with that obtained using k values reported in previous studies. According to our findings, the new mean k value, determined with the use of our procedure of surface area measurement, ensured greater accuracy in the determination of the TBSA of experimental rats of a specific weight range. We also suggest a new procedure of surface area measurement which is easy, accurate and does not require animal sacrifice.
Differential Pattern of Tissue Plasminogen Activator–Induced Proximal Middle Cerebral Artery Recanalization Among Stroke Subtypes

Background and Purpose— We aimed to evaluate the timing, speed, and degree of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)–induced recanalization in patients with proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion of different stroke subtypes. Methods— We evaluated 72 patients with acute stroke caused by proximal MCA occlusion treated with intravenous tPA in <3 hours. Transcranial Doppler monitoring of recanalization was conducted during tPA infusion and at 6 hours. Strokes were categorized as large-vessel disease strokes, cardioembolic strokes, or strokes of undetermined origin according to Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria. Results— During 1-hour tPA infusion, recanalization occurred in 34 patients (47%); 32% showed a sudden, 50% showed a stepwise, and 18% showed a slow pattern of recanalization. One-hour recanalization was more frequent in patients with cardioembolic stroke (59%) compared with large-vessel disease (8%) and undetermined origin (50%) strokes. A cardiac source of emboli was identified in 81% of patients who showed a sudden clot breakup during tPA infusion. Rate of complete recanalization at 6 hours was higher (P =0.006) in patients with cardioembolic stroke (50%) compared with other stroke subtypes (27%). Sudden recanalization was associated (P =0.002) with a higher degree of neurological improvement at 24 hours compared with stepwise, slow, and no recanalization. A graded response in long-term outcome was observed in relation to the speed of clot lysis during tPA administration. Conclusions— We demonstrate that the pattern of tPA-induced MCA recanalization differs among stroke subtypes. Early recanalization was more frequent, faster, and more complete in patients with cardioembolic stroke compared with other stroke subtypes.
Swing Up Control of a Double Pendulum

Inverted pendulums are typical examples of unstable systems and have been used for the verification of designed control systems and/or control education in laboratories. In particular, the control of a double inverted pendulum has been known as a good example to show the power of the state space approach. Instead of these stabilizations of a pendulum at the upright state, the authors have studied a swing-up control of single pendulum from the stable hanging state to the upright position, which is a control to transfer the state of the system from one equilibrium state to the others. The control problem is a non-linear control problem and it can be a good example to show a power of non-linear control methods. In this paper a control method for the swing-up control of a double pendulum is proposed, and the experimental results show that the proposed method is effective for the control problem.
Attending to opportunity: an attention-based model of how boards of directors impact strategic entrepreneurship in established enterprise

Attending to Opportunity: An Attention-Based Model of How Boards of Directors Impact Strategic Entrepreneurship in Established Enterprises. (December 2004) Christopher Scott Tuggle, B.S., Missouri Southern State University; M.B.A., Southwest Missouri State University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Don Hellriegel Using the attention-based view, this study is concerned with two levels of board of directors’ interaction relating to strategic entrepreneurship: (1) how individual board members may affect the attention of the entire board, and (2) how the board may affect the attention and resource allocation of the firm. Unique to prior literature, this study considers contextual factors at each level of interaction and views the board room communications through unprecedented access. Multiple regression and negative binomial regression analyses are used to test the theoretical hypotheses.
H2CO AND N2H+ IN PROTOPLANETARY DISKS: EVIDENCE FOR A CO-ICE REGULATED CHEMISTRY

We present Submillimeter Array (SMA) observations of H2CO and N2H+ emission in the disks around the T Tauri star TW Hya and the Herbig Ae star HD 163296 at 2″–6″ resolution and discuss the distribution of these species with respect to CO freezeout. The H2CO and N2H+ emission toward HD 163296 does not peak at the continuum emission center that marks the stellar position but is instead significantly offset. Using a previously developed model for the physical structure of this disk, we show that the H2CO observations are reproduced if H2CO is present predominantly in the cold outer disk regions. A model where H2CO is present only beyond the CO snow line (estimated at a radius of 160 AU) matches the observations well. We also show that the average H2CO excitation temperature, calculated from two transitions of H2CO observed in these two disks and a larger sample of disks around T Tauri stars in the DISCS (the Disk Imaging Survey of Chemistry with SMA) program, is consistent with the CO freezeout temperature of ∼20 K. In addition, we show that N2H+ and H2CO line fluxes in disks are strongly correlated, indicative of co-formation of these species across the sample. Taken together, these results imply that H2CO and N2H+ are generally present in disks only at low temperatures where CO depletes onto grains, consistent with fast destruction of N2H+ by gas-phase CO, and in situ formation of H2CO through hydrogenation of CO ice. In this scenario H2CO, CH3OH, and N2H+ emission in disks should appear as rings with the inner edge at the CO midplane snow line. This prediction can be tested directly using observations from ALMA with higher resolution and better sensitivity.
The Flexibility, Isolation, and Vulnerability of Agency Working A Qualitative Psychological Study

In recent years, temporary agency work has received increased attention in the realms of media, academia, and politics. Supporters of the industry cite fast access to flexible working opportunities for individuals and organisations, yet critics have highlighted disparities with permanent counterparts in relation to pay, treatment, and job security. Previous psychological research has forwarded a series of findings that have frequently conflicted, and the article will begin by exploring the previous literature in the area. Particular focus has been given to variables relating to job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and job security. The key objective of the study is to understand the psychological impact this form of employment can have upon individuals in relation to perceptions of flexibility, isolation, and vulnerability. The study adopted a qualitative research design that incorporated twenty-five semi structured interviews with agency workers, recruitment consultants, and representatives from third party employers. Secondary sources of data included ethnography analysis in the form of a researcher diary, and a longitudinal element resulting from follow-up interviews with the agency workers of the sample. Findings indicated the significant role of motive in the formulation of positive and negative perceptions that individuals hold towards their employment. The minimal tenures and lack of obligation associated with the contracts were also found to isolate agency workers from their permanent colleagues, increase vulnerability, and decrease job security and organizational commitment.
DC-Link Current and Torque Ripple Optimized Self-Sensing Control of Interior Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Machines for Hybrid and Electrical Vehicles

To minimize the ripple on the dc-link current and torque due to carrier signal injections, conventional saliency based self-sensing control schemes using voltage and current carrier signals for interior permanent magnet synchronous machines (IPMSMs) are optimized in this paper. Carrier signal oriented coordinates are introduced to model the high-frequency behavior of IPMSMs and are used for the analysis and signal processing of proposed methods. Moreover, stability issues are discussed in this paper. Experimental results on a commercial high voltage inverter for application in hybrid and electrical vehicles confirm the applicability of the proposed methods.
Relative Performance Evaluation in CEO Compensation: Evidence from the 2006 Disclosure Rules

In December 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued new rules that require the disclosure of the use of relative performance evaluation (RPE) in CEO compensation contracts. We find that about a third of the sample firms use RPE in the CEO compensation contract. On average, RPE users tie about half of the estimated value of the awards to RPE. Firms tie a larger fraction of their awards to RPE when they face less uncertainty regarding the right performance benchmark. We find little evidence to support hypotheses based on product market competition, CEO hedging constraints, or managerial power.
Does CEO Duality Enhance Firms Business Performance? Empirical Evidence from Bahrain

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of CEO duality- as a member of board, chairman of the board on firms’ performance measures such as ROA, ROE and Assets Turnover on the listed companies in Bahrain Bourse. Data sample are from 39 companies for three years 2010, 2011 and 2012.This study applied correlation and linear regression analysis. Correlations among the variables and regression models are not found to be significant at 5%level but CEO as a board member positively related with ROE and assets turnover but negatively related to ROA where as CEO as Chairman of the board is negatively related to all performance variables’. Regression analysis reveals CEO duality has no significant effect on firms’ performance measures. This study contributes to the literature on the impact of CEO duality on firms’ performance measures.
The Use of In Vitro Systems to Assess Cancer Mechanisms and the Carcinogenic Potential of Chemicals

Carcinogenesis is a highly complex, multi-stage process that can occur over a relatively long period before its clinical manifestation. While the sequence in which a cancer cell acquires the necessary traits for tumour formation can vary, there are a number of mechanisms that are common to most, if not all, cancers across the spectrum of possible causes. Many aspects of carcinogenesis can be modelled in vitro. This has led to the development of a number of mechanistically driven, cell-based assays to assess the pro-carcinogenic and anti-carcinogenic potential of chemicals. A review is presented of the current in vitro models that can be used to study carcinogenesis, with examples of cigarette smoke testing in some of these models, in order to illustrate their potential applications. We present an overview of the assays used in regulatory genotoxicity testing, as well as those designed to model other aspects that are considered to be hallmarks of cancer. The latter assays are described with a view to demonstrating the recent advances in these areas, to a point where they should now be considered for inclusion in an overall testing strategy for chemical carcinogens.
Performance of smartphone users with half-pie and linear menus

ABSTRACT It will not be easy for smartphone users to get accustomed to one-hand operation using smartphones with larger screens. Coupled with the massive data on the handset screen, the menu design has become extremely important. This study is to apply the pie menu into the smartphones which is used in previous PC user interface. Specifically, how efficient are the users when using pie menu on 5″ handsets? The experiment is divided into two phases. In Phase 1, behavioural analysis, 36 participants used their right hand to operate the Left-Side-Linear Menu (LSLM), Right-Side-Linear Menu (RSLM), and Half-Pie Menu (HPM) while walking. After the experiment we asked them to fill in the NASA-TLX (NASA Task Load Index Standard Workload Test). In Phase 2, eight participants with different thumb lengths and diverse operating experience were invited to operate three menu techniques while standing. Results showed that participants with shorter thumbs are more efficient in operating the three menu techniques than participants with longer thumbs. The reason for this difference is related to how the users grip their phones. In addition, LSLM has the highest error rate and RSLM has the lowest among the three types. The efficiency of HPM depends on continuous learning for five minutes and the result closely matches RSLM. However, there was no significant difference between the HPM and the LSLM in walking speed. In addition, 137 participants took the improved version of the test and made ‘Good’ comments in the System Usability Scale.
A very-low-loss 2-bit X-band RF MEMS phase shifter

A novel low-loss phase shifter, based on RF MEMS series switches and a single-pole four-throw (SP4T) switch design, is presented. The phase shifter is fabricated on a 200 /spl mu/m-thick GaAs substrate, and occupies less than 12 mm/sup 2/ of space. The measured average insertion loss is -0.55 dB, with a reflection loss of less than -17 dB over the 8-12 GHz frequency range. The 2-bit phase shifter performs well up to 18 GHz with an average loss of only -0.85 dB and a near-perfect linear phase shift from DC-18 GHz. This is the lowest loss MMIC-type phase shifter to-date at 8-18 GHz.
Role Stress in After-Sales Service Management

The implementation of a superior service strategy strongly depends on the attitude and behavior of customer contact personnel in service organizations. However, conflicting demands of organizational constraints, service managers, service teams, and customers frequently lead to role stress of service employees. In this article, the authors investigate antecedents and consequences of role stress experienced in after-sales service management of an international office equipment manufacturer from a longitudinal perspective. Empowering service employees by giving them authority and responsibility decreases their sense of role stress and, at the same time, enhances job satisfaction. Moreover, the authors notice a negative short-term and a positive long-term effect of the presence of rules and regulations. In the short term, this leads to higher role conflict. Finally, on the basis of the positive lagged effect of perceived group cohesiveness on role ambiguity, the authors conclude that creating “tight-knit” workgroups can actually prove detrimental because the norms they develop might be hard to change.
Acute leukaemia in acromegaly patients

Acromegaly patients are known to have an increased risk of malignancies, especially colonic adenocarcinoma. This may be as a result of the growth‐stimulating effect of growth hormone (GH). The clustering of leukaemia in children treated with GH has also caused concern. There have been a few reports of leukaemia in acromegaly patients. We report two patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and one patient with acute myeloid leukaemia among 106 acromegaly patients treated over a 15‐year period. Two of the cases received radiotherapy as part of their treatment. Adjusted for age and follow‐up years, the incidence of leukaemia in this cohort is significantly higher than the general population. The incidence is also higher than would be expected as a result of radiotherapy alone, suggesting that GH may play a synergistic role.
Multiple Avenues of Intermediation, Corporate Finance and Financial Stability

Using data from the US, UK, Japan and Canada, this paper provides evidence on the benefits to an economy from multiple avenues of intermediation. The overall conclusion is that the existence of active securities markets alongside banks is indeed beneficial to the stability of corporate financing, both during cyclical downturns and during banking and securities market crises. The benefit from multiple avenues are greater, the more comparable the size of securities market and intermediated financing, as well as the larger the proportion of companies able to access both loan and securities markets. The analysis raises a number of policy issues and research topics for further investigation.
Assignment of tasks to competing nodes when task duration times are fuzzy

In this article, we introduce a formal scheduling algorithm that uses redirecting of tasks from a bottlenecked employee while minimizing the completion time for the scheduled jobs. The paper focuses on instances in which a number of employees are to perform several jobs that are divided into various tasks with fuzzy values for their estimated duration times. Generally, efficient job scheduling requires that task and job duration be real values. This allows for precise calculation of time interval and time delay parameters when determining a job's completion time. When the precise values of either one of these parameters is unknown, not only can the job's completion time not be minimized, but the scheduling of tasks, without regard to the possible bottlenecks, will be haphazard.
Small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) quality management (QM) research (1990–2014): a revealing look at QM's vital role in making SMEs stronger

Findings from 25 years of quality management small and mid-sized enterprise (QM SME) research, 55 studies spanning 18 countries are provided. Using a multi-stage QM model to frame the review, the discussion clarifies the stages SMEs experience when engaging QM. The SME QM literature supports the use of QM by SMEs. Yet, many potential barriers often hinder SMEs' QM pursuit. Affirming differences between large firms and SMEs, QM may need to be calibrated differently for SMEs, with QM activities aligned with SME resources. Also, while QM is often touted to be universally applicable, there is evidence that country factors, ranging from leadership skills to national culture to government, likely affect implementation and outcomes, albeit more research is needed. Performance following QM implementation tends to be supportive of QM, although QM costs, resource constraints, and fatigue can lead to reduced QM commitment.
On optimal batching policies for video-on-demand storage servers

In a video-on-demand environment, batching of video requests is often used to reduce I/O demand and improve throughput. Since viewers may defect if they experience long waits, a good video scheduling policy needs to consider not only the batch size but also the viewer defection probabilities and wait times. Two conventional scheduling policies for batching are first-come-first-served (FCFS) and maximum queue length (MOL). Neither of these policies lead to entirely satisfactory results. MQL tends to be too aggressive in scheduling popular videos by only considering the queue length to maximize batch size, while FCFS has the opposite effect. We introduce the notion of factored queue length and propose a batching policy that schedules the video with the maximum factored queue length. We refer to this as the MFQ policy. The factored queue length is obtained by weighting each video queue length with a factor which is biased against the more popular videos. An optimization problem is formulated to solve the best weighting factors for the various videos. A simulation is developed to compare the proposed MFQ policy with FCFS and MQL. Our study shows that MFQ yields excellent empirical results in terms of standard performance measures such as average latency time, defection rates and fairness.
A magyar kkv-k 21. századi banki finanszírozásának áttekintése és kiútkeresés a hitelválság csapdájából

Jelen cikk kereteben arra vallalkoztunk, hogy bemutassuk es elemezzuk a magyar kis- es kozepvallalati (kkv) szektor hitelfinanszirozasanak 21. szazadi tortenetet (2000–2012). A banki/takarekszovetkezeti hiteltermekek azok a legalapvetőbb kulső intezmenyes finanszirozasi formak, amelyek kepesek a kkv-k szeles tomegeinek a finanszirozasi igenyet kielegiteni. A hitelek hozzaferhetősegenek feltetelei (mertek es fedezetigeny kapcsolata, forrasszerzes idő- es adminisztracios igenye) es az arai dontően befolyasoljak a kkv-k jovedelmezőseget es uzleti lehetősegeit. Minel dragabban es kedvezőtlenebb feltetelekkel hozzaferhetők a hitelek a kkv-k szamara, annal kevesebb hitelugylet fog megvalosulni, ami azt eredmenyezi, hogy egyreszt bizonyos beruhazasokat kenytelenek elhalasztani a kkv-k, masreszt napi operativ műkodesuk finanszirozasanak szűkossege miatt stagnalo-visszaeső uzletmenettel kell szamolniuk. A kkv-k hitelfinanszirozasanak tortenete egyfajta tukorkepe ezen vallalati szegmens jovőkepenek es uzleti bizalmanak.