Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Example-Based Wrapper Generation †

Extracting specific information from the vast amount of documents in the World Wide Web is a very tedious task. Manual extraction has high quality output but cannot be automated. Programmed wrappers, on the other hand, suffer from the uncertainty of document structures. The generation of a more generic wrapper for whole classes of textual information, which can accommodate all kinds of document structures, is a crucial problem. Our graphical tool called the Intelligent Tagger allows user to create a grammar composed of rules and patterns which can parse plain text and html documents and retrieve desired information. Users are only required to have knowledge of the information type to be retrieved and its order and structure. With the Intelligent Tagger, grammar creation is performed in three steps: 1) a Graphical Schema Editor helps the user to create XMLSchema definitions with a visual drag and drop interface, 2) an Example Markup Tool allows to markup the desired information in a very simple way, and 3) a Grammar Generator takes the schema and the marked examples and generates a grammar for automatically extracting data from similarly structured documents. This paper focuses on this latter step.
Modeling and control of constant speed Dynamic Hybrid Systems using Extended Time Petri Networks

In this paper, we consider the supervisory control problem of systems modeled by Extended Time Petri Networks (ETPNs). These are Dynamic Hybrid Systems (DHS) characterized by a strong discrete component, and presenting some features, such as, cumulative memory, continuous variables, and the possibility of preempting and restarting of actions. Our control approach, based on a safety specification, use Linear Hybrid Automata (LHA), which are derived automatically from the ETPN and used as a solution tool.
BoneMorphing versus freehand localization of anatomical landmarks: Consequences for the reproducibility of implant positioning in total knee arthroplasty

Objective: This study analyzed the influence of the acquisition method in image-free computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty (CAS-TKA), and the reproducibility of implant planning using BoneMorphing®, a 3D morphometric model obtained by a 3D-to-3D elastic registration of statistical models to sparse point clouds acquired directly on the bone surface with a pointer. Materials and Methods: Five surgeons (one expert, four trainees) each performed a CAS-TKA hybrid protocol based on morphometric models and landmarks on a cadaveric knee 10 times. In addition, several additional landmarks were digitized during each acquisition. The reproducibility of the implant positioning and sizing, as determined by an implant planning algorithm with morphometric models, was compared to direct digitization accuracy. Results: Femoral and tibial implant positioning parameters with the hybrid protocol resulted in intra-surgeon standard deviations (SDs) of less than ± 1.4° for rotation and 1.9 mm for translation for all surgeons in all directions except for tibial axial rotation (the only parameter determined by a digitized landmark and not recomputed in the 3D model). The variability in individual landmark digitization varied from 2 to 5 mm SD for certain landmarks, with ranges of 15–25 mm across all surgeons. The comparison study showed an improvement in femoral rotation reproducibility with the morphometric model when using the posterior condylar axis. Tibial implant reproducibility for each method was comparable, with the morphometric model giving better results in well-digitized areas such as the tibial plateau. Conclusion: A CAS-TKA protocol based on a deformed statistical model offers reproducible implant positioning. Some landmarks, such as distal condyles, show sufficient reproducibility in the direction of interest, while others, such as the anterior tibial tubercle, can lead to hazardous implant positioning. This should be taken into consideration when designing a CAS-TKA system with bony landmarks. In areas where a sufficient number of points have been digitized with good coverage, such as on the distal and posterior femoral condyles or the tibial plateau areas, the information derived from the 3D model is more accurate and reproducible than that derived from digitization. Good training and a guiding user interface are essential to guarantee coverage quality.
Competitive Effects of Vertical Restraints and Promotional Activity

This dissertation empirically analyzes firm distribution and promotion strategies. Chapter 2 examines the distribution of products through exclusive territory arrangements by developing a model in which manufacturers, producing for uncertain retail demand, utilize exclusive territories to ensure that all demand states, and retailers serving particular demand states, are served. Here exclusive territories result in higher prices, greater consumption, and the entry of small retailers such as convenience and drug stores to the retail market. Analyzing a natural experiment afforded by Indiana’s legalization of exclusive territories in beer distribution, I estimate the effect of exclusive territories on price and consumption using a difference-in-differences model. I find that the legalization of exclusive territories in Indiana results in no change in prices or consumption. I also analyze a unique dataset of all licensed beer sellers in Indiana and find that exclusive territories did not cause significant entry by convenience or drug stores. In Chapter 3, I argue that retail promotions arranged by manufacturers offer researchers a window into the competitive interactions of oligopolistic manufacturers. Utilizing scanner data on sales and promotions at a major grocery store, I estimate the long-term effect of promotions on the sales of leading brands in 10 consumer packaged-goods categories. By testing the sales time series for unit
Asian-Pacific Conference on International Accounting Issues

This study examines industry specialization at the audit team level. Utilizing proprietary data on audit hours and charge out rates by staff rank for 908 audit teams, we use auditors’ actual hours of exposure to an industry to identify industry specialist auditors. We then define an audit team as an industry specialist team (IST) if it includes at least one partner who is an industry specialist where a specialist is defined as an auditor who spends more than 200 hours auditing clients in a single industry. We analyze differences in audit production and team composition for ISTs and non-ISTs. Results show that audits of ISTs are more costly to produce due to both greater effort and higher charge out rates. Further, the proportion of industry specialist hours to total team hours at each rank (partner, manager, associate) is greater in ISTs than non-ISTs, indicating that ISTs have greater industry expertise at all levels. Thus, industry specialization does affect the audit production process at the team level.
Primary cilia mediate sonic hedgehog signaling to regulate neuronal‐like differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells for resveratrol induction in vitro

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into neuronal‐like cell types under specific conditions. The classical antioxidant inducers such as β‐mercaptoethanol (BME), butylated hydroxyanisol (BHA), and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) are limited in clinical because of toxicity. Resveratrol, a safer, natural antioxidant, can stimulate osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs. However, its effect of inducing MSCs to differentiate into neuronal‐like cells is less well studied, and its differentiated mechanisms are not well understood. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling, mediated by the primary cilia, is crucial for embryonic development and tissue differentiation, but relatively little is known about the role of Shh signaling and primary cilia in neuronal‐like differentiation of MSCs. Here we show that primary cilia, harboring patched 1 (Ptc1), are present in growth‐arrested MSCs and that smoothened (Smo) and Gli1 are present in cytoplasm of MSCs, which are important components of the Shh signaling pathway. After resveratrol induction, MSCs acquire neuronal‐like cell morphologies and phenotypes, Smo translocates to the primary cilia, Gli1 enters the nucleus, and expressions of Smo and Gli1 proteins increase, which can be inhibited by cyclopamine, a Smo antagonist. Meanwhile, Smo agonist (SAG) attains similar effects compared with the resveratrol group. These data indicate that resveratrol can induce MSCs to differentiate into neuronal‐like cells and activate Shh signaling pathway in the primary cilia. Moreover, the primary cilia and Shh signaling are essential for resveratrol inducing neuronal‐like differentiation of MSCs. Our finding is important for understanding the neuronal‐like differentiation mechanism of MSCs for resveratrol and promoting its clinical therapeutic utility. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Corporate Culture and Strategic Change

In recent years, management theory has discovered a new buzz-word culture. In particular, 'corporate culture' has become the 'in' phrase not only for an army of professional management writers, but also for senior cxccutives, production managers, and finance people alike. This concept has becomc for the 1980s what 'strategic planning' was for the 1970s, as notions from anthropology such as rites, customs and values replace stars, cash cows and dogs as dominant expressions in corporate boardrooms and business seminars [2]. The concept of culture has become attractive because it offers a new panacea for corporate ills. Management journals document how cultural factors arc at the heart of best practice. Human resources experts see cultural norms as the key to the infrastructurc of informal organisation. This infrastructure is comprised of the ceremonies and rituals which give meaning to the work environment; it encompasses the core values which leaders and subordinates hold dear. Modern management texts tell managers to create corporate cultures which dovetail with effective corporate strategy. This integration is presented as the main reason for the successes of the 'Excellent' and Theory Z' companies [3]. The new axiom of administrative wisdom is that good strategy equals success only when we possess an appropriate culture. This interest in culture has turned rnanagcmcnt theory full circle. Like
EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF Vitex negundo L. ON ACETIC ACID INDUCED COLITIS IN ALBINO RATS.

Objective- As the leaves of Vitex negundo L. possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, this study has been undertaken to evaluate the effect of Vitex negundo L. in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to find its probable mechanism of action including its antioxidant potential. Methods-The extract of Vitex negundo L. was prepared by percolation method. Acute toxicity test was done by using OECD guidelines. Albino rats were divided into four groups (n=5). Group A and B received 3% gum acacia. Group C and D received ethanolic extract of Vitex negundo L. (EEVN) 500 mg/kg BW and 5-aminosalisylic acid (5-ASA) 100 mg /kg BW respectively. Colitis was induced by transrectal administration of 4% acetic acid on 5th day. All animals were sacrificed after 48 hour of colitis induction and distal 10 cm of the colon was dissected. Colon was weighed for disease activity index (DAI) and scored macroscopically and microscopically. Biochemical assessment of tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was done in colonic tissue homogenate and malondialdehyde (MDA) was estimated in serum. Results- Vitex negundo L. showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in DAI, macroscopic and microscopic lesion score as well as significant (p<0.05) improvement in MPO, MDA, CAT, and SOD level as compared to Group B. Conclusion- The ethanolic extract of leaves of Vitex negundo L. showed significant amelioration of experimentally induced colitis, which may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
An effective approach to the use of 3D scanning technology which shortens the development time of 3D models

The development process of creating 3D models such as characters, objects and landscapes is very time-consuming. This paper explores some new alternative methodologies (algorithms, software, techniques) to shorten this development time. This has relevance to more generic applications in 3D virtual environments, particularly through the use of 3D target models and 3D optical scanning technology. The work shows how high-resolution 3D models acquired by software or scanning can be analysed in a common format for practical use as imports into a game or other 3D virtual applications. An application for loading a 3D polygon mesh from a file has been developed as a case study to explain the methodology. This is generic enough to handle the processing of 3D data derived either from graphics design software or exported from optically scanned objects.
Bayesian network based fault diagnosis and maintenance for high-speed train control systems

High speed train control systems are complex, realtime, and distributed systems. Failure of any of such subsystems can have heavy impact on the service itself, leading to obvious deterioration of performance, reduction of perceived quality and increment of costs. This paper proposed a Bayesian network based fault diagnosis and maintenance for high-speed trains control systems. Firstly, a Bayesian network based fault model was generated by Bayesian learning from fault table. Then, the maximum possible fault cause through the reverse reasoning ability of the Bayesian network was deduced. Finally, a Dynamic Bayesian Network (DBN) based maintenance model was presented and the real-time maintenance results of high-speed train control systems was used to verify the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
An Overview of Electrospray Applications in MEMS and Microfluidic Systems

Integrating electrospray into microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and microfluidic systems supports applications in diverse fields from biotechnology to aerospace. Electrospray also functions as a production tool, allowing for novel methods of MEMS fabrication. This review covers the three most significant applications of electrospray in MEMS and microfluidic systems technology: 1) as an integral part of a microfluidic device, most notably electrospray emitters for coupling a microfluidic chip to a mass spectrometer; 2) as a method for fabricating and manufacturing MEMS; and 3) for micropropulsion in aerospace applications using MEMS-based emitters. Perspectives on future research directions and opportunities are provided.
Static quark-antiquark potential with renormalization-group-improved lattice action.

The expectation values of Wilson loops are calculated with a renormalization-group (RG)-improved lattice action on a 12/sup 4/ lattice for 2.1< or =. beta. < or =2.7 with steps . delta beta. = 0.1. Then the quark-antiquark static potential is calculated by a fitting procedure directly to the logarithms of the expectation values of Wilson loops rather than Creutz ratios. The inverse of the lattice spacing a at . beta. = 2.4 turns out to be a/sup -1/ = 1470(30) MeV by inputting the string tension sigma = (420 MeV)/sup 2/. This value is in remarkable agreement with the value a/sup -1/ = 1460(60) MeV which has been obtained from the meson spectrum calculated on an 8/sup 3/ x 16 lattice at . beta. = 2.4 with the same RG-improved lattice action. The scaling behavior of the string tension and the problem of universality are also investigated.
The histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA arrests cancer cell growth, up-regulates thioredoxin-binding protein-2, and down-regulates thioredoxin

Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) is a potent inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs) that causes growth arrest, differentiation, and/or apoptosis of many tumor types in vitro and in vivo. SAHA is in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. HDAC inhibitors induce the expression of less than 2% of genes in cultured cells. In this study we show that SAHA induces the expression of vitamin D-up-regulated protein 1/thioredoxin-binding protein-2 (TBP-2) in transformed cells. As the expression of TBP-2 mRNA is increased, the expression of a second gene, thioredoxin, is decreased. In transient transfection assays, HDAC inhibitors induce TBP-2 promoter constructs, and this induction requires an NF-Y binding site. We report here that TBP-2 expression is reduced in human primary breast and colon tumors compared with adjacent tissue. These results support a model in which the expression of a subset of genes (i.e., including TBP-2) is repressed in transformed cells, leading to a block in differentiation, and culture of transformed cells with SAHA causes re-expression of these genes, leading to induction of growth arrest, differentiation, and/or apoptosis.
Pomegranate peel extract attenuates oxidative stress by decreasing coronary angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in hypertensive female rats

ABSTRACT Based on the antioxidant properties of pomegranate, this study was designed to investigate the effects of pomegranate peel extract on damage associated with hypertension and aging in a spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model. The influence of pomegranate consumption was examined on systolic blood pressure (SBP), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) coronary activity, oxidative stress, and vascular morphology. Four- or 28-wk-old SHR model rats were treated for 30 d, with terminal experimental animal age being 8 and 32 wk, respectively, with either pomegranate extract (SHR-PG) or filtered water (SHR). Data showed significant reduction in SBP and coronary ACE activity in both age groups. The levels of superoxide anion, a measure of oxidative stress, were significantly lower in animals in the SHR-PG group compared to SHR alone. Coronary morphology demonstrated total increases in vascular wall areas were in the SHR group, and pomegranate peel extract diminished this effect. Pomegranate peel extract consumption conferred protection against hypertension in the SHR model. This finding was demonstrated by marked reduction in coronary ACE activity, oxidative stress, and vascular remodelling. In addition, treatment was able to reduce SBP in both groups. Evidence indicates that the use of pomegranate peel extract may prove beneficial in alleviating coronary heart disease.
Essays on Information Technology and Value Creation: Corporate Governance, Software Firm Acquisitions, and Entrepreneurial Signaling

Information technology (IT) has become increasingly embedded in the operational and strategic aspirations of modern day firms competing in an era of globalization. As a result of the dominant role of IT, firms make a significant investment in their IT assets and infrastructure. C-level information technology experts (CITEs) such as chief information officers (CIOs) and chief technology officers (CTOs) have also been playing an increasingly strategic and indispensable role in the management of the IT function in modern day firms. However, recent research shows a lack of oversight by the board of directors over the IT function due to an ‘IT confidence gap’ felt by the directors on boards with no IT expertise. To bridge the ‘IT confidence gap’, an emerging trend has been the appointment of CITEs as board directors. However, there is little research on whether such appointments result in the creation of value for the appointing firms. To address this question, we use perspectives from agency and resource dependence theories to examine two value impacts of CITE director appointments. We suggest that CITE director appointments serve a signaling function i.e., CITE appointments enable firms to signal their intention to institute more effective oversight of the firm’s IT function. As a result, firms accumulate signaling value in the form of share price reaction (abnormal increase in share price value) immediately following CITE director appointments. On the
GRAVITATIONAL WAVES FROM COLLAPSING VACUUM DOMAINS

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA(DART-HEP-98/03 February 5, 2008)The breaking of an approximate discrete symmetry, theﬁnal stages of a ﬁrst order phase transition, or a post-inﬂationary biased probability distribution for scalar ﬁelds arepossible cosmological scenarios characterized by the presenceof unstable domain wall networks. Combining analytical andnumerical techniques, we show that the non-spherical collapseof these domains can be a powerful source of gravitationalwaves. We compute their contribution to the stochastic back-ground of gravitational radiation and explore their observabil-ity by present and future gravitational wave detectors.04. 30.Db, 98.80. Cq
The localisations in liposomal membranes of the tetrahydrofuran ring moieties of the annonaceous acetogenins, annonacin and sylvaticin, as determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy.

The positions of the tetrahydrofuran (THF) ring moieties of annonacin (a mono-THF ring Annonaceous acetogenin) and sylvaticin (a non-adjacent bis-THF ring Annonaceous acetogenin) within liposomal membranes made of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) were determined by proton (1H) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Based on 1H intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs), the THF rings of both acetogenins studied reside near the polar interfacial head group region of the DMPC. Recently, we have reported that the THF rings of a series of asimicin type of Annonaceous acetogenins (with adjacent bis-THF rings) also reside near the interfacial head group of DMPC. We can now conclude that the Annonaceous acetogenins, containing either mono-, adjacent bis-, or non-adjacent bis-THF ring moieties, have their THF ring moieties at the interfacial region of membranes, i.e., the THF ring moiety seems to serve a role as an anchor in the lipid membranes. This may be related to the uniquely potent bioactivities that Annonaceous acetogenins exhibit at their enzyme-inhibitory sites within mitochondrial and plasma membranes.
When Franchisee Service Effort Affects Demand: An Application to the Car Radiator Market and Resale Price Ceiling

I propose an empirical framework of the effect of firm’s unobservable, endogenous service effort on demand, in conjunction with price and other marketing mix instruments. Customers respond not only to price and product characteristics but also to firm’s unobservable service effort. The framework allows us to quantify unobserved service effort (whose data are scarce in most empirical settings) by estimating a demand model combined with a firm’s profit function. I apply the framework to a unique data set obtained from a franchise network in the car radiator market and investigate the much-debated public policy question of whether customers benefit from a resale price ceiling (also known as maximum resale price maintenance). Using the framework, I find that the outcome depends on the resale price ceiling level: when a franchisor imposes a price ceiling just below its franchisees’ current retail price, customers benefit. However, when the franchisor imposes a price ceiling much lower than its franchisees’ current retail price, franchisees’ incentive to exert service effort is reduced, hurting customers (consistent with critics’ arguments). Last, I show that ignoring the role of service effort makes the debate trivial because service effort captured as part of structural error is invariant to price change.