Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Business Models for Development: The Global Capability Sourcing Model

Development is improvement in the lives of people. The effects of information technology on development have been studied by assessing improvements in the lives of people in their communities, regions, countries or even groups of countries. This can be studied by investigating the social impacts on development of the technologies. The social concept of development suggests that people participate in improving their circumstances through the development of healthcare, education, environment and community services (Apthorpe 1999, Arce 2003, and Midgley 2003). Social development considers improvements in the lives of people through programs in healthcare, education, and the environment that are often aBstract
Avulsion of both quadriceps tendons in hyperparathyroidism.

This case of hyperparathyroidism also involves bilateral, simultaneous avulsions of the quadriceps tendon. The hyperparathyroidism was treated successfully by excision of an adenoma, and a delayed repair of the tendons was reasonably successful. It is uncertain why the avulsions occurred in the presence of this disease, but it may be related to bone resorption at the site of tendon insertion.
Core food intakes of Australian children aged 9-10 years: nutrients, daily servings and diet quality in a community cross-sectional sample.

BACKGROUND The present study aimed to evaluate core food intakes in 9-10-year-old Australian children by considering adequacy of nutrient intakes, comparing servings of core food groups with Australian recommendations and scoring overall diet quality. METHODS Children from an established community-based cohort study completed a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Daily intakes of energy, macronutrients, micronutrients, servings of core (i.e. nutrient-rich) foods and a diet quality index were calculated and compared with appropriate standards. Sex and socio-economic differences were examined. RESULTS The 436 children participating were from low to high socio-economic status families. As a group, over half of the children met estimated average requirements for key macro- and micronutrients, with the exception of fibre (inadequate in 41% of boys and 24% of girls). Children obtained 55% of their daily energy from core foods. Most children had fewer than the recommended servings of vegetables (91%) and meat/alternatives (99.8%), whereas boys generally ate fewer servings of grains and cereals than recommended (87%), and girls ate fewer servings of dairy (83%). Diet quality scores indicated room for improvement (median score of 26 for boys and 25 for girls, out of a maximum of 73 points). CONCLUSIONS As a group, a large proportion of children were able to meet their daily nutrient requirements. However, achieving this through noncore foods meant that diets were high in salt, saturated fat and sugar; more servings of core foods and greater dietary diversity would be preferable. These results suggest that families need more support to optimise dietary patterns of children in this age group.
A Hierarchical Elastic Registration Scheme Based on Deformable Segmentation

In this paper a hierarchical scheme is presented for contour-based elastic image registration. An improved deformable model is used to simultaneously segment and register feature from multiple images. The objects in different images are segmented by evolving a single contour and meanwhile the parameters of affine registration transformation are found out. After that, a contour-constrained elastic registration is applied to register the images correctly. The experimental results indicate that the proposed approach is effective to segment and register medical images
A microcantilever sensor with integrated optical readout for antimicrobial drug discovery

We present the first microcantilever sensor with integrated optical readout capable of detecting liquid samples. The measurement of beam displacement is performed through on-chip waveguides using an external laser and a photodetector. This approach yields ≈ 0.4% change in power per nanometer displacement. The device is embedded in microfluidics and is used for detecting the amino acid homocysteine common in bacterial signaling pathways. It is aimed at providing a testing platform for new drugs that target bacterial communications. The minimal measurable cantilever displacement and surface stress are 5 nm are 1.3 mN/m respectively. The lowest homocysteine concentration detected with the sensor is 10 µM.
Profitability change persistence, managerial overreaction, and dividend policy

This thesis proposes a hypothesis that managerial overreaction of past earnings performance which can affect managers’ dividend decisions. This proposition claims that managers can extrapolate earnings growth/decline over the past few years into the future, and then managers may make dividend decisions based on their expectation of such extrapolation. Managerial extrapolation is different from managerial overconfidence, although they both belong to managerial overreaction. To examine this hypothesis, we follow Fama and French (2001), Baker and Wurgler (2004a) and Hoberg and Prabhala (2009)’s methodology to test whether managerial extrapolation which is represented by firms’ earnings persistent growth/decline over the past five or three years can affect managers’ decisions to initiate/continue/increase/pay/omit/decrease dividends, given other conventional determinants including size, investment opportunities, profitability, and risks. We find robust evidence that indicators of managerial extrapolation have significant effects on firms’ dividend decisions during the in-sample period from 1963 to 2000, the out-of-sample period from 2001 to 2013, and the whole sample period from 1963 to 2013 in the U.S. market before or after controlling for recession or financial crisis. Further, we find that firms who initiate/continue/increase/pay dividends after experiencing past growing earnings do not show future growth in profitability, while firms who omit/decrease dividends after experiencing past declining earnings do not show future decline in profitability. Our findings hold when we use alternative measurements to form proxies of managerial extrapolation by using positive EPS only, by using past sales growth/decline, or by using past free cash flow growth/decline. Importantly, we find that the significant impact of managerial extrapolation on firms’ dividend decisions is not affected after considering other managerial behaviour factors including catering incentive to dividends (Baker and Wurgler, 2004a) and different measurements of managerial overconfidence based on option-holding activities, investment ratio, or managers’ net-buying activities on their own firms’ shares.
Financial Performance of Czech Sugar Refineries: Case Study Testing the Post-Crisis Period 2010-2013

The main purpose of this paper is to evaluate and compare a financial performance of Czech sugar refineries within a period 2010–2013. Due to the availability of financial statements for the requested periods were analysed following public limited companies – Cukrovar Vrbátky, Tereos TTD, Litovelská cukrovarna and Moravskoslezské cukrovary. There is an applied standard financial analytical approach, i.e. there are performed ratio analysis and tested selected bankruptcy and credibility indexes for financial performance analysis. The results of this analysis point out the stability of this industry having as its leaders Cukrovar Vrbátky and Moravskoslezské cukrovary.
Optical properties of biological tissues: a review

A review of reported tissue optical properties summarizes the wavelength-dependent behavior of scattering and absorption. Formulae are presented for generating the optical properties of a generic tissue with variable amounts of absorbing chromophores (blood, water, melanin, fat, yellow pigments) and a variable balance between small-scale scatterers and large-scale scatterers in the ultrastructures of cells and tissues.
Principles and Good Practices for Using Wikis within Organizations

This chapter discusses the basic properties of corporate Wikis that make them an effective learning and knowledge management tool. Wikis offer a user-friendly environment that enhances informal knowledge sharing and the collaborative creation of new knowledge. Enterprise-wide adoption of Wikis promotes the reuse of existing know-hows and prevents employee re-invention of the wheel. Four cases of successful implementations of Wikis in large, hi-tech global organizations are described in detail including their goals, design considerations, implementation and actual use for formal and informal knowledge creation and sharing. The adoption and long-term sustainability of Wikis is attributed to perceived business outcomes by managers and to perceived usefulness and ease of use by individual contributors and users. Good practices based on one or more of these use-cases can provide practical guidance to organizations that wish to use a Wiki for KM purposes.
An intragenic revertant of a poliovirus 2C mutant has an uncoating defect

A revertant was isolated from a temperature-sensitive poliovirus 2C mutant, 2C-31, which is defective in viral RNA synthesis. This revertant, called 2C-31R1, grew well at 39 degrees C and was not defective in RNA synthesis. However, in contrast to its parental mutant, 2C-31R1 was cold sensitive and could hardly grow at all at 32 degrees C. Analysis of a single-cycle growth revealed that 2C-31R1 was defective in virion uncoating at 32 degrees C, and a substantial amount (more than 30%) of input viruses could be recovered as infectious particles from an infected cell lysate up to 6 h postinfection. The uncoating defect and the inability to grow at cold temperatures could be overcome by a brief incubation at the permissive temperature (39 degrees C) before the infection was continued at 32 degrees C. cDNA cloning and mix-and-match recombination experiments indicated that the defect in uncoating was the result of two secondary point mutations, seven nucleotides apart, in the 2C-coding sequence downstream of the inserted linker which is the original mutation in the parental 2C-31 genome. Another revertant, 2C-31R3, isolated from the same 2C-31 stock, was not defective in uncoating and appeared to be a secondary revertant that contained an intragenic suppressor for the uncoating defect. The uncoating defect of 2C-31R1 could be complemented by type 2 poliovirus. These results suggested that protein 2C, in addition to its role in viral RNA synthesis, has a function in determining virion structure.
RAGE-independent autoreactive B cell activation in response to chromatin and HMGB1/DNA immune complexes

Increasing evidence suggests that the excessive accumulation of apoptotic or necrotic cellular debris may contribute to the pathology of systemic autoimmune disease. HMGB1 is a nuclear DNA-associated protein, which can be released from dying cells thereby triggering inflammatory processes. We have previously shown that IgG2a-reactive B cell receptor (BCR) transgenic AM14 B cells proliferate in response to endogenous chromatin immune complexes (ICs), in the form of the anti-nucleosome antibody PL2-3 and cell debris, in a TLR9-dependent manner, and that these ICs contain HMGB1. Activation of AM14 B cells by these chromatin ICs was inhibited by a soluble form of the HMGB1 receptor, RAGE-Fc, suggesting HMGB1–RAGE interaction was important for this response. To further explore the role of HMGB1 in autoreactive B cell activation, we assessed the capacity of purified calf thymus HMGB1 to bind dsDNA fragments and found that HMGB1 bound both CG-rich and CG-poor DNA. However, HMGB1–DNA complexes could not activate AM14 B cells unless HMGB1 was bound by IgG2a and thereby able to engage the BCR. To ascertain the role of RAGE in autoreactive B cell responses to chromatin ICs, we intercrossed AM14 and RAGE-deficient mice. We found that spontaneous and defined DNA ICs activated RAGE+ and RAGE− AM14 B cells to a comparable extent. These results suggest that HMGB1 promotes B cell responses to endogenous TLR9 ligands through a RAGE-independent mechanism.
A Simple Nonlinear Magnetic Analysis for Axial-Flux Permanent-Magnet Machines

This paper presents a simple nonlinear magnetic analysis for axial-flux permanent-magnet machines as an assistant design tool of 3-D finite-element analysis (3D-FEA). The proposed analysis consists of an equivalent magnetic circuit and an analytical model of air-gap permeances, including saturable permeances in the core. The proposed analysis is capable of calculating the flux distribution and torque characteristics under heavy operating conditions. We verify the accuracy of the proposed analysis by comparing the results with those of 3D-FEA for various design free parameters. After verifying the accuracy of the analysis, we present our analysis-based optimum design, which realizes the maximum torque density while maintaining efficiency at the desired value. Compared to the traditional 3D-FEA, the design method proposed here has the same accuracy, while the computation time is as short as 1/21.
Inverse and optimization problems in electromagnetics -- a finite-element method perspective

In this thesis, a selection of inverse and optimization problems are studied where the finite element method (FEM) serves as a comprehensive tool to solve electromagnetic field problems that lack an analytic solution. The inverse problems are typically formulated in terms of an optimization problem where the misfit between a measurement and the corresponding result of a computational model is minimized. The optimization problems are solved by a combination of techniques that involve gradient-based methods, stochastic methods and parameter studies. The first contribution of the thesis is a new higher-order hybrid FEM for Maxwell's equations that combines (i) brick-shaped elements for large homogeneous regions with (ii) tetrahedrons for regions where local refinement is necessary. The tangential continuity of the electric field at the interface between the different element types is enforced in the weak sense using Nitsche's method. This yields a flexible and efficient computational method that is free of spurious solutions and features a low dispersion error. We employ a stable implicit-explicit time-stepping scheme using an implicitness parameter associated with the tetrahedrons and the hybrid interface. No late-time instabilities are observed in the solution for computations with up to 300 000 time steps. The second contribution of this thesis deals with four inverse scattering problems: (i) gradient-based estimation of the dielectric properties of moist micro-crystalline cellulose in terms of a Debye model; (ii) detection and positioning of multiple scatterers inside a metal vessel using compressed sensing; (iii) monitoring of the material perturbations in a pharmaceutical process vessel using a linearized model around an operation point that varies with the process state; and (iv) a subspace-based classification method for the detection of intracranial bleedings in a simulated data set. The third contribution of the thesis explores stochastic optimization for an inductive power transfer (IPT) system consisting of four magnetically coupled resonance circuits, which is intended for power transfer distances on the order of the coils' radius. A genetic algorithm is employed to compute the Pareto front that contrast the maximum efficiency and power transfer. Results are presented for both linear and non-linear circuits: (i) a time-harmonic model for magnetically coupled resonance circuits with a resistive load; and (ii) a transient model for an IPT system with square-wave excitation, rectifier, smoothing filter and battery.
Impact of corporate governance on financial disclosures: Evidence from India

The paper aims at identifying impact of corporate governance variables i.e. board structure (board size, board independence, board activity and board busyness) and ownership structure (foreign promoters holding, institutional shareholding and CEO duality) on financial disclosures made by the Indian firms. Using cross sectional data of 325 listed firms for the financial year 2009-10, we compute financial disclosure score (using 171 checklist points) based on disclosure requirements of accounting standards. We find average disclosure score of 73%, maximum and minimum being 100% and 46% respectively. Our finding support agency theory in terms of monitoring role of board since board size is found to be significant however we do not find any influence of board independence on the disclosures. The study also supports resource dependency theory in terms of outside directorship which might provide exposure to different corporate environment, brings diverse perspectives and knowledge to the directors and this in turn leads to improved disclosures. We also support the notion that having foreign promoter shareholding improves disclosures.
A novel protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitor with therapeutic potential for insulin resistance

Insulin‐sensitizing drugs are currently limited, and identifying new candidates is a challenge. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) negatively regulates insulin signalling, and its inhibition is anticipated to improve insulin resistance. Here, the pharmacological properties of CX08005, a novel PTP1B inhibitor, were investigated.
Gene-Coding Assignments of Rotavirus Double-Stranded RNA Segments 10 and 11

The gene-coding assignments for genome segments 10 and 11 of a simian virus and two human rotaviruses were determined. For those viruses having a “long” RNA gel pattern (electropherotype), segments 10 and 11 encoded proteins NS3 and O4, respectively. The human virus with a “short” electropherotype had the opposite assignments and also differed in (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) serotype from the human virus with a long electropherotype.
Supporting the decision for a customer experience management solution:a method proposal for an early stage analysis of the organization-hybris fit

Disclaimer This document contains a student thesis (bachelor's or master's), as authored by a student at Eindhoven University of Technology. Student theses are made available in the TU/e repository upon obtaining the required degree. The grade received is not published on the document as presented in the repository. The required complexity or quality of research of student theses may vary by program, and the required minimum study period may vary in duration.
The Effect of Audit Quality on Management Mechanisms

This study aims to investigate the effect of audit quality on management mechanisms. In order to assess management mechanisms (discretionary accruals) Kasznic model was used. This study has applied objectives and it is considered a descriptive-regression research as it investigates the relationship between independent and dependent variable using regression method. Audit quality is a dummy variable, in which the Audit Organization has the value of 1 and other audit institutions have the value of 0. The period under study is four years, (20082011). Each year was tested by using cross-sectional regression method and the study’s hypothesis was tested using panel data. The results gained from this study indicated that there is a negative significant relationship between audit quality and management mechanisms. Therefore, it should be said that the better the audit quality, fewer will be the opportunities for management mechanisms.
Misalignment Losses in Step-Index Multicore Plastic Optical Fibers

We analyze the extrinsic coupling losses due to misalignments in three different SI-MCPOFs. Four kinds of misalignments are analyzed: longitudinal separation, transversal offset angular misalignment and rotational misalignment. We have performed experimental measurements and complementary computational simulations to assess the effect of misalignments and the influence of crosstalk and fiber characteristics on coupling losses.
Long-Lead Prediction of Pacific SSTs via Bayesian Dynamic Modeling

Abstract Tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and the accompanying El Nino–Southern Oscillation phenomenon are recognized as significant components of climate behavior. The atmospheric and oceanic processes involved display highly complicated variability over both space and time. Researchers have applied both physically derived modeling and statistical approaches to develop long-lead predictions of tropical Pacific SSTs. The comparative successes of these two approaches are a subject of substantial inquiry and some controversy. Presented in this article is a new procedure for long-lead forecasting of tropical Pacific SST fields that expresses qualitative aspects of scientific paradigms for SST dynamics in a statistical manner. Through this combining of substantial physical understanding and statistical modeling and learning, this procedure acquires considerable predictive skill. Specifically, a Markov model, applied to a low-order (empirical orthogonal function–based) dynamical system of tropi.
An Inhibitor of Protein Phosphorylation Stops the Circadian Oscillator and Blocks Light-Induced Phase Shifting in Gonyaulax polyedra

The expression of circadian rhythmicity in Gonyaulax polyedra is strikingly altered by an inhibitor of protein phosphorylation. The effects of 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP), known to reversibly block cell division in many systems through inhibition of protein kinase activity, are described here for Gonyaulax. Its action appears to be exclusively tonic in nature; in cells continuously exposed, the period is lengthened in a concentration-dependent fashion. Shorter treatments at a higher concentra tion of 6-DMAP (5 mM) apparently stop the circadian oscillator, but reversibly so, since the rhythm resumes after drug removal with a phase delay approximately equal to the duration of the treatment. Pulses of the inhibitor are effective in causing phase delays at all times of the circadian cycle. In addition, 6-DMAP completely blocks light-induced phase advances and is effective in inhibiting many Gonyaulax protein kinases in vitro.
Video-EEG Monitoring in a Geriatric Veteran Population

Summary: Video-EEG monitoring is a standard tool to evaluate possible seizures. However, there are limited data available for the elderly population, and no data are available for the elderly veteran population. The records of 71 veterans ages 60 and older who underwent video-EEG monitoring at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 1999 to 2006 were reviewed. The average age was 68 years, and 94% were male. Typical events occurred in 34 of 71 patients (48%). Twelve patients (35%) had epileptic seizures; most were temporal lobe seizures (75%). The remaining 22 patients (65%) had a nonepileptic event. Of these, 10 (45%) had psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and 12 (55%) had other physiologic nonepileptic events. AEDs were previously prescribed in 14 of the 22 nonepileptic patients (64%). In our study, most events were nonepileptic, partly reflecting the unique nature of the VA population. There was a slightly higher number of physiologic nonepileptic events; however, psychogenic seizures are also frequently seen. Most of the patients with nonepileptic events were previously treated with AEDs. Most of the epileptic events captured were temporal lobe seizures. Video-EEG monitoring in the elderly is useful in the characterization of paroxysmal events.