Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lack of preferential treatment: effects on dissatisfaction after a service failure

Purpose – Preferential treatment of selected customers is one of the strategies employed by companies seeking to implement relationship marketing. However, it remains unclear whether or not this policy negatively affects relationships with customers not receiving the above‐mentioned preferential treatment, as existing literature focuses, for the most part, on the beneficiaries. The purpose of this paper is to study whether or not the perception of lack of preferential treatment has a positive impact on dissatisfaction following a service failure, after accounting for the effects of attribution.Design/methodology/approach – The sample used in this paper consists of 344 subjects who, over the last six months, have experienced service failures. The data are collected via personal interviews using a structured survey. Structural equation modelling is employed in order to test the relationship between lack of preferential treatment and dissatisfaction.Findings – The results of this investigation indicate that .
P2Y1 receptor‐mediated potentiation of inspiratory motor output in neonatal rat in vitro

The role of metabotropic purinergic receptors (P2YRs) in modulating motor output from the CNS is virtually unknown, despite the fact that many motoneurons, including respiratory motoneurons, express P2YRs. Using rhythmically active brainstem–spinal cord and medullary slice preparations, we demonstrate that compared to the 4th cervical spinal nerve (C4) inspiratory output controlling the diaphragm, P2YR activation is >10 times more efficacious at potentiating the hypoglossal nerve (XII) inspiratory output controlling airway muscles. P2YR potentiation of inspiratory output appears largely mediated by P2Y1R. Whole‐cell recordings from XII motoneurons (MNs) suggest that the P2Y1R‐mediated potentiation of inspiratory synaptic inputs, glutamate currents, and persistent inward currents, results in part from potentiation of a transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 4 (TRPM4)‐mediated, calcium‐activated, non‐specific cation current, ICAN. The low sensitivity of phrenic output to P2YR activation questions its physiological significance in modulating diaphragm activity. However, the greater sensitivity of XII MNs, combined with observations that ATP is often co‐released with noradrenaline and that noradrenergic neuron activity decreases in sleep, makes it tempting to speculate that loss of purinergic modulation contributes to state‐dependent reductions in XII MN excitability.
Interaction of FLASH with Arsenite Resistance Protein 2 Is Involved in Cell Cycle Progression at S Phase

ABSTRACT FLASH has been shown to be required for S phase progression and to interact with a nuclear protein, ataxia-telangiectasia locus (NPAT), a component of Cajal bodies in the nucleus and an activator of histone transcription. We investigated the role of human FLASH by using an inducible FLASH knockdown system in the presence or absence of various mutant forms of mouse FLASH. While carboxyl-terminal deletion mutants of FLASH, which do not interact with NPAT, can support S phase progression, its amino-terminal deletion mutants, which are unable to self associate, cannot support S phase progression, replication-dependent histone transcription, or the formation of Cajal bodies. Furthermore, FLASH was shown to be associated with arsenite resistance protein 2 (ARS2) through its central region, which is composed of only 13 amino acids. The expression of ARS2 and the interaction between FLASH and ARS2 are required for S phase progression. Taking these results together, FLASH functions in S phase progression through interaction with ARS2.
Getting Started with Minimally Invasive Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Is It Worth It?

BACKGROUND This study evaluates the safety and cost of introducing minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD) to a surgeon's practice. SUBJECTS AND METHODS All MIPDs performed between December 2011 and July 2013 were compared with open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) cases by the same surgeon. The primary outcomes were mortality, major morbidity, and re-operation. Secondary outcomes were perioperative and oncologic outcomes and cost. MIPD include total laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (TLPD) and laparoscopic-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy (LAPD), where a small incision is used for reconstruction. Bivariate comparisons of outcomes were performed using nonparametric tests. RESULTS In total, 44 pancreaticoduodenectomies were performed: 15 MIPDs (2 TLPDs and 13 LAPDs) and 29 OPDs. One death occurred in each group. Major complication rates were not significantly different (33% for MIPD versus 17% for OPD); however, there was a trend toward more re-operation after MIPD compared with OPD (20% versus 3%; P = .07). The incidence of pancreatic leak (20% for MIPD versus 14% for OPD), biliary leak (0% versus 7%, respectively), abscess formation (27% versus 14%, respectively), and intraabdominal hemorrhage (13% versus 3%, respectively) were not significantly different. MIPD achieved equivalent oncologic outcomes as OPD with 100% R0 margin and adequate lymph node retrieval. There was no statistical difference in median operative time (342 minutes for MIPD versus 358 minutes for OPD), length of stay (8 versus 9 days, respectively), operating room expenses (Canadian) ($7246.0 versus $6912.0, respectively), or total cost (Canadian) per case ($15,034.0 versus $18,926.0, respectively). CONCLUSIONS MIPD and OPD had similar safety and cost in this introductory series. However, a trend toward a higher rate of re-operation for pancreatic leak suggests the need for caution in introducing this novel technique.
Involvement of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway in the Degradation of Nontyrosine Kinase-Type Cytokine Receptors of IL-9, IL-2, and Erythropoietin1

The ubiquitin-dependent proteasome-mediated (Ub-Pr) degradation pathway has been shown to regulate a large variety of substrates, including nuclear, cytosolic, and membrane proteins. In mammalian systems, polyubiquitin modification has been identified in a number of cell surface receptors for more than a decade; however, its biological significance has remained unclear until recently. For growth factor receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase domains, polyubiquitination is believed to trigger the internalization and subsequent degradation via the lysosomal pathway. In this study we provide the first evidence that non-tyrosine kinase-type cytokine surface receptors, IL-9R α-chain, IL-2 receptor β-chain, and erythropoietin receptor, can be polyubiquitinated and degraded by proteasomes. The Ub-Pr pathway regulates both the basal level turnover and the ligand-induced degradation of the receptors. A previously identified putative molecular chaperon, valosin-containing protein, undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation in a cytokine-dependent manner and associates with the receptor complexes following receptor engagement, suggesting that valosin-containing protein may target the ubiquitinated receptors to the proteasome for degradation.
The fatty acid desaturation index of blood lipids, as a biomarker of hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase expression, is a predictive factor of breast cancer risk

Purpose of review This review summarizes epidemiological data linking the fatty acid desaturation index measured in blood lipids, as a biomarker of hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity, the key enzyme involved in the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids from saturated fatty acids, to breast cancer risk. The biological plausibility of this association is discussed. Recent findings Epidemiological cohort studies reported an association between a high saturated to monounsaturated fatty acid ratio measured in blood lipids, indicating low stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 activity, and decreased breast cancer risk. The suppression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase expression reduces cancer cell proliferation and in-vitro invasiveness, and dramatically impairs tumor formation and growth. These effects could not be overcome by supplying exogenous monounsaturated fatty acids. Summary Epidemiological findings, in accordance with experimental data, suggested that decreased hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase expression/activity may be related to decreased risk of breast cancer.
On Fuzzy Clustering Based Self-Organized Methods

This paper presents two methods based on self-organized dissimilarity. The first is an implemented fuzzy clustering and the second is a hybrid method of fuzzy clustering and multidimensional scaling (MDS). Specifically, a self-organized dissimilarity is defined that uses the result of fuzzy clustering in such a way that the dissimilarity of objects is influenced by the dissimilarity of the classification situations corresponding to the objects. In other words, the dissimilarity is defined under an assumption that similar objects have similar classification structures. Through empirical evaluation the proportion and the fitness of the results of the method, which uses MDS combined with fuzzy clustering, is shown to be effective in real data. Furthermore, by exploiting the self-organized similarity, defuzzification of fuzzy clustering can cope with the inherent classification structures
Simulation of Power Control of a Wind Turbine Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator System

SIMULATION OF POWER CONTROL OF A WIND TURBINE PERMANENT MAGNET SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR SYSTEM Nantao Huang, B.S. Marquette University, 2013 This thesis presents a control system for a 2MW direct-drive permanent magnet synchronous generator wind turbine system with the objectives to capture the optimal power from the wind and ensure a maximum efficiency for this system. Moreover, in order to eliminate the electrical speed sensor mounted on the rotor shaft of the PMSG to reduce the system hardware complexity and improve the reliability of the system, a sliding mode observer based PM rotor position and speed sensorless control algorithm is presented here. The mathematical models for the wind turbine and the permanent magnet synchronous machine are first given in this thesis, and then optimal power control algorithms for this system are presented. The optimal tip speed ratio based maximum power point tracking control is utilized to ensure the maximum power capture for the system. The field oriented control algorithm is applied to control the speed of the PMSG with the reference of the wind speed. In the grid-side converter control, voltage oriented control algorithm is applied to regulate the active and reactive power injected into the power grid. What is more, sliding mode observer based sensorless control algorithm is also presented here. The simulation study is carried out based on MATLAB/Simulink to validate the proposed system control algorithms. i TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS i LIST OF TABLES iii LIST OF FIGURES iv CHAPTER
Validation of a Scale for Measuring Problems in Internet Banking and their Effect on Customer Satisfaction

The use of IT in the banking sector has contributed to the emergence of more flexible and user-friendly self-service banking technologies (SSBT) to address the rapid and changing needs of banking customers. The emergence of SSBT such as ATM, internet banking (IB) and mobile banking (MB) ushered the concept of anytime and anywhere banking. IB uses the Internet to deliver banking services to customers irrespective of their geographical location. The present study is a customer-centric study to validate a scale for measuring the problems associated with the use of IB and their effect on customer satisfaction. The study identified four problems, namely, customer support problems, service problems, web-based problems and password problems. Customer support problems and web-based problems have significant negative effect on customer satisfaction and hence these hinder customer satisfaction.
Evaluation and Uptake Promotion of Data Collection Guidelines for Co-Managed Fisheries. Final Technical Report.

Fishery resources management in Huay Luang reservoir is one program affiliated by Department of Fisheries and MRRF component since 2001. Continuing consultation with local stakeholders identified that they have lacked adequate information of Huay Luang for their management and planning. Even some information has been regularly collected by government organizations, but there were no appropriate data sharing mechanisms. The workshops among all local stakeholders from ten communities, four primary schools, three Tambon Administration Organizations (TAO), Provincial Fisheries Office, Udonthani Inland Freshwater Research and Development Center (IFRDC), Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, Tourism Office and Irrigation Project Office were held in January and September 2005 to identify the data and information needed by all local stakeholders and to develop a sustainable way of data collection methodology and sharing system for resources management and planning of Huay Luang Reservoir. An information needed by all local users were identified as initial priorities in four main issues, namely, water level and management strategies of Department of Irrigation; water quality in reservoir and sources of water pollution; and fish production from reservoir; annual development plan which related to Huay Luang Reservoir of all government organizations and non-government organizations. The Data collection methodology agreed among all users was to conduct a so called “folk research” on water quality monitoring by monthly basis and collection fish catch by fisherman in all target communities by local researchers represents from each community within technical supervision by government agencies. Data sharing mechanisms was developed during the workshop and based on current capacities and lesson learned of government agencies and integrated with existing sharing system of TAOs and communities and schools under their affiliated area. The activities at Huay Luang were promoted in the context of a DfID-funded project on “Data Collection and Information Sharing for Fisheries Co-management” which is jointly implemented by a number of fisheries development organizations under the leadership of MRAG Ltd, England. A draft “Field Guide on Data Collection and Sharing”, which is a product from the DfID-project, was useful in developing the methodology used at Huay Luang. The promising data 1 MRRF, Udonthani, Thailand 2 Khon Kaen Inland Fisheries Research and Development Center
Does Underwriter Reputation Promote Fair Pricing Behavior In The IPO Process? Evidence From ChiNext-Listed Firms

Motivated by the observation of three long-existing phenomena in the ChiNext market which are high issuing prices, high price-earnings ratios, and strikingly high capital raised in IPOs this study empirically examines whether underwriters reflect fair attitudes toward, and treatment of, different stakeholders through accurate pricing and whether the attitude varies with different underwriter reputations. We do this by investigating whether the extent of underpricing is significantly reduced by underwriter reputation. We find that the role of underwriter reputation as a mechanism of disciplining opportunistic behavior and as a third-party certification is muted. Although underwriter reputation is still highly correlated with offering price, underwriter reputation doesnt lower underpricing effectively. Underwriters simply take advantage of their reputation for their selfish interests, which unethically damages stock investment returns, especially for the small and middle shareholders. We conclude that underwriters do not exhibit good business ethics to promote fair pricing in ChiNext IPOs.
Estimating Intensity of Physical Activity: A Comparison of Wearable Accelerometer and Gyro Sensors and 3 Sensor Locations

Automatic estimation of physical activity using wearable sensors can be used for promotion of a healthier lifestyle. In this study, accelerometers and gyroscopes attached to ankle, wrist and hip were used to estimate intensity of physical activity. The estimates are compared to metabolic equivalent (MET) obtained from a portable cardiopulmonary exercise testing system. Data from common everyday tasks and exercise were collected with 11 subjects. The tasks include, e.g., ironing, vacuuming, walking, running and cycling on exercise bicycle (ergometer). The strongest linear correlation with metabolic equivalent was obtained with the tri-axial accelerometer attached to the ankle (r=0.86).
The effects of environmental impact assessment in the Netherlands

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) in the Netherlands is found to have great impact: 79% of those examined showed high direct benefits. Even taking into account the time and financial efforts required to produce an EIA, 69% showed a beneficial impact. The explanation offered for this degree of impact is threefold and supported by the research: the process-bound nature of EIA; the possibility of considering EIA as part of the negotiation arena that enables actors to defend their interests and to negotiate on the proposal and implementation methods; the presence of the EIA Committee and its role in the process. An EIA that starts early in the process and focuses on main policy themes is more likely to gain consensus among actors.
The design and implementation of Activity Based Costing (ABC): a South African survey

Activity Based Costing (ABC) has been researched extensively in developed countries. Research on these issues in South Africa is limited. This article creates a better understanding of the design of ABC systems in South Africa, comparing ABC implementation in South Africa to that in several developed/developing countries. A quantitative methodology was adopted to evaluate the extent of ABC implementation. A survey‐case study methodology was used to identify reasons for implementation/ non‐implementation, problems and critical success factors relating to implementation. The results show that the extent of ABC implementation in South Africa is lower than that found in developed countries, but the evidence is inconclusive. Nevertheless, the results suggest that the issues facing ABC implementers in South Africa are similar to those faced in many other countries. This study provides South African companies with a comparative framework of important variables to be considered in implementing ABC.
Developing a framework for service oriented architecture governance maturity (SOAGM)

Today, service oriented architecture (SOA) has created the opportunities to improve agility and speed in aligning business needs with information technology infrastructure. Most of the organizations in the process of applying this technology encounter with challenges and may have failure despite of spending a lot of energy and huge investments. Therefore they need to implement a service oriented framework for SOA governance maturity. The organizations require a framework to assess their current status of SOA governance, determine their SOA governance requirements and then offer a suitable model for their SOA governance. The aim of this study is development of a framework for evaluating SOA governance. Data collection tool is questionnaire and in order to test the proposed framework, a sample of 16 experts in the field of SOA was included. The results confirms that the proposed framework.
Introduction to Proton Detection in Biological Samples under Ultra-Fast Magic Angle Spinning

In collaboration with Guido Pintacuda and co-workers, Bruker BioSpin presents three basic 1H-detected pulse programs (‘pulprog’) that allow initial protein backbone assignment under fast MAS[3] : 1. hNH: 1D and 2D, Figures 1A and 3, pulprog: hNH2D.dcp 2. hCαNH: 1D-3D , Figures 1B and 4, pulprog: hCaNH3D.tcp 3. hCONH: 1D-3D , Figures 4 and 6B, pulprog: hCONH3D.tcp Introduction to Proton Detection in Biological Samples under Ultra-Fast Magic Angle Spinning
Cost-sensitive classification on class-balanced ensembles for imbalanced non-coding RNA data

Many bioinformatics data sets have class-imbalanced data, where the number of samples in each class is not equal. Since most of data sets contain usual versus unusual cases, e.g. cancer versus normal or miRNAs versus other non-coding RNA, where the minority class with the least number of samples is the interesting class that contains the unusual cases. The learning models based on the standard classifiers, such as the support vector machine (SVM), random forest and k-NN are usually biased towards the majority class, which means that the classifier is most likely to predict the samples from the interesting class inaccurately. Thus, handling class-imbalanced data set has gained the researchers interests recently. A combination of proper feature selection, a cost-sensitive classifier and ensembling based on random forest method (BCE-CSC-RF) is proposed to handle the class-imbalanced data. Random class-balanced ensembles are built individually. Then, each ensemble is used as a training pool to classify the rest of out-bagged samples. Samples in each ensemble will be classified using class-sensitive classifier that incorporates random forest. The sample will be classified by selecting the most often class has been voted-for in all samples appearances in all the formed ensembles. A set of performance measurements including a geometric measurement suggests that the model can improve the classification of the minority class samples.
Exploring the Dynamics of Power Ratios among U.S Radio Stations

Abstract This study explores the dynamics underlying the relationship between a radio station’s share of audience and its share of market revenue, recognized by media analysts as a power ratio. This ratings to revenue comparison often serves as a diagnostic tool for evaluating a station’s business performance. Relying on what the authors call a principle of parsimony in media buying, an analysis of power ratio data collected from over 1600 U.S radio stations revealed that as a radio station’s share of audience increases, it subsequently earns a disproportionately greater share of market revenue and visa versa. Additionally, certain program formats serve as intervening variables. The article concludes with implications for station decision makers.
EB viral antigens in burkitt tumor biopsies and early cultures

The emergence of cells producing EB viral antigens in cultures of Burkitt tumor biopsies was studied by means of immunofluorescence techniques. Definitely or questionably positive cells were seen in acetone‐fixed smears of 6% and 29% of the biopsies, respectively, which amounted to no more than a few cells among several hundred thousands. Yet in culture, specifically stainable cells often appeared within 3 to 10 days, occasionally in substantial numbers (up to 5%). Repeated biopsies from the same donors gave remarkably similar results. In time all cultures which developed into lines showed the presence of EBV. Arginine‐free medium failed to facilitate emergence of EBV antigen‐producing cells in young cultures or to increase their number, unless about 0.5% or more of the cells in the control cultures were productively infected. The implications of these findings are discussed.