Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro autoradiography.

The light-microscopic localization of receptors and other molecules by autoradiography of radioligand binding in tissue sections provides a high degree of anatomical resolution and the ability to associate even small quantities of binding sites with anatomical structures. The basic procedure in this unit involves incubating slide-mounted tissue sections with radioligands, washing and drying of the sections with specifically bound ligands under conditions that preserve ligand binding, and visualizing and quantifying the binding sites in the tissues. While the procedures were developed for drug and neurotransmitter receptors, any binding site can be visualized with a sufficiently selective, high-affinity radioligand. If optimal conditions for radioligand binding to sites in slide-mounted tissue sections are already known, the basic protocol in this unit can be used to create autoradiograms. However, if a radioligand is being studied for the first time, guidelines are provided on optimizing experimental parameters for binding, washing, and drying. The light-microscopic localization of receptors and other molecules by autoradiography of radioligand binding in tissue sectio.
Measuring and managing service quality: integrating customer expectations

The pressures driving successful organisations toward top quality services make the measurement of service quality and its subsequent management of overall importance. The study compares four different methods for measuring service quality within an airline setting. Six instruments are used to measure the service quality of three international airline companies. The validity and reliability of the six different models is examined: it is concluded that unweighted SERVPEX methods are superior to the others. The dimensionality of quality in airlines is explored and three factors appear as determinants: tangibility, reliability, and customer care. The author states that understanding customer expectations is a prerequisite for delivering superior service, since customers evaluate service quality by comparing their perceptions of the service with their expectations. As a result, a model to manage expectations is proposed. A set of research directions is offered.
Voltage Regulation in Radial Distribution Feeders with High Penetration of Photovoltaic

Overvoltages are one of the main reasons for limiting the amount of active power that can be exported by a microgrid and injected into a low voltage (LV) distribution system. The well-known trade offs used in medium voltage (MV) feeders need to be revisited considering the fact that the impedance of LV feeders is mostly resistive with large R/XL ratios. This digests investigates the impact of active power and reactive power variation on the voltage and losses of a radial LV distribution feeder with uniformly distributed loads and non-dispatchable (active power) sources. The feeder characteristics as well as the net active power of the buses are considered in the analysis. This shall give indications on how to decide between PV units with overrated inverters, for additional capacity of reactive power control, or energy storage devices, so as to minimize overvoltages during peak power production.
Matched Filters with Interference Suppression Capabilities for DS-CDMA

This paper considers the design of near-far resistant matched filters (MFs) for direct-sequence code-division multiaccess (DS-CDMA) systems. We show how additional information on the individual powers and chip delays of locked users, that is available at the base station, can be exploited for the design of these MFs. The proposed receiver can specifically reduce the effects of the locked interferers at the expense of a partial increase in complexity over the conventional MF. Furthermore, this detection technique is a link between the linear minimum mean squared error (MMSE) centralized multiuser detector and the decentralized noise-whitening MF. Numerical results for the rectangular chip pulse illustrate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), near-far resistance, and bit-error rate (BER) improvement that the proposed MF yields over the conventional MF and noise-whitening MF.
From Time Varying Risk-Aversion to Anomalies in Market Moments’ Risk Premia

Previous studies on the cross-sectional market moments’ risk premia find significantly negative risk premia for the market volatility and the market skewness risks and a positive premium for the market kurtosis risk. However, a significantly negative price of risk for the market skewness and a positive price of risk for the market kurtosis move against the ICAPM intuition. We refer to these counter-intuitive prices of risk as the anomalies in the market moments’ risk premia, and show that these anomalies only exist in low risk-aversion periods. Once investors’ risk-aversion rise, these anomalies vanish. Moreover, we find that Baker and Wurgler’s (2006) index of investor sentiment is strongly negatively affected by the past realizations in investor risk-aversion. Consequently, our empirical results can also be replicated by analyzing periods of high and low sentiment, separately.
Determinants of Export Channel Structure: The Effects of Experience and Psychic Distance Reconsidered

The effects of two commonly cited determinants of export channel structure are examined in a transaction cost framework. Psychic distance and experience have traditionally been thought to have uni‐directional effects. Channel structure was measured using three discrete points along a forward integration continuum, representing increasing degrees of commitment. The operation of the psychic distance and experience effects was found to reflect a firm′s vulnerability to opportunistic responses in a foreign market. Depending on the ability of the market to enforce behavioural safeguards, the effects of both determinants may be reversed. The article reveals the insights that may be gained from the application of transaction cost analysis to more traditional approaches.
A Contrastive Study of Metadiscourse Elements in Research Articles Written by Iranian Applied Linguistics and Engineering Writers in English

This study seeks to investigate the use of interactive and interactional metadiscoursal features in two disciplines, applied linguistics and engineering. The analysis is based on a corpus of eight research articles from the engineering discipline and eight from applied linguistics. The selected corpus was analyzed through the model suggested by Hyland (2005). Results of the study showed that both disciplines used interactive and interactional features in their research articles. In both groups, writers used an interactive metadiscourse more than an interactional one. Also, there were significant differences on the overall frequency of metadiscourse features as well as on the particular occurrence of some categories in interactive and interactional features.
Separate myocardial ethanolamine phosphotransferase activities responsible for plasmenylethanolamine and phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis Published, JLR Papers in Press, December 16, 2002. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M200426-JLR200

Ethanolamine phosphotransferase (EPT) is a key enzyme responsible for the synthesis of ethanolamine glycerophospholipids. Plasmenylethanolamine is a predominant molecular subclass of ethanolamine glycerophospholipids in the heart. The present study was designed to identify the selective use of 1-O-alk-1′-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerol as a substrate for EPT as a mechanism responsible for the predominance of plasmenylethanolamine in the rabbit heart. EPT activity in rabbit myocardial membranes using 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol as substrate is activated by Mn2+, inhibited by dithiobisnitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) and is unaffected by Ca2+. In contrast, ethanolamine phosphotransferase activity using 1-O-alk-1′-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerol as substrate is inhibited by Mn2+ and Ca2+, but is activated by DTNB. Additionally, ethanolamine phosphotransferase activity using 1-O-alk-1′-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerol substrate was more sensitive to thermal denaturation compared with that of 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol. Taken together, these results suggest that separate ethanolamine phosphotransferase activities are present in heart membranes that are responsible for the synthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine and plasmenylethanolamine.
Factors that Determine the Reputation of Private Equity Managers in Developing Markets

Abstract This paper analyzes the relationship between investors and private equity managers in order to identify the factors that affect the latter's reputation. Since there are no individual references about their past returns in developing private equity markets, the reputation of such players is thought to be linked to their capacity for obtaining new funds. Results provide evidence of the volume of investments recorded in the past, the ratio of portfolio companies to investment manager, the percentage of divestments carried out through initial public offerings and trade sales, the membership of the national private equity association and the size of funds under management as characteristics of the highest importance in raising funds.
Brand Reputation Management within the Higher Education Sector: A Review of the Literature on Higher Education Brand Reputation Management

The purpose of this systemic review was to explore the nature of brand reputation management literature and how the appraisal will help higher education practitioners and brand reputation researchers to engender and refine research thoughts. The paper reviewed a number of issues such as the concept of branding in the context of higher education, commercialisation and marketisation, brand reputation management and the importance of branding in the higher education sector. An attempt was made to identify and integrate the arguments into a very consistent synthesis which shows the uses and impact of brand reputation management on higher education institutions‘ brand value.
Combining Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis and an Ecophysiological Model to Analyze the Genetic Variability of the Responses of Maize Leaf Growth to Temperature and Water Deficit1

Ecophysiological models predict quantitative traits of one genotype in any environment, whereas quantitative trait locus (QTL) models predict the contribution of alleles to quantitative traits under a limited number of environments. We have combined both approaches by dissecting into effects of QTLs the parameters of a model of maize (Zea mays) leaf elongation rate (LER; H. Ben Haj Salah, F. Tardieu [1997] Plant Physiol 114: 893–900). Response curves of LER to meristem temperature, water vapor pressure difference, and soil water status were established in 100 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of maize in six experiments carried out in the field or in the greenhouse. All responses were linear and common to different experiments, consistent with the model. A QTL analysis was carried out on the slopes of these responses by composite interval mapping confirmed by bootstrap analysis. Most QTLs were specific of one response only. QTLs of abscisic acid concentration in the xylem sap colocalized with QTLs of response to soil water deficit and conferred a low response. Each parameter of the ecophysiological model was computed as the sum of QTL effects, allowing calculation of parameters for 11 new RILs and two parental lines. LERs were simulated and compared with measurements in a growth chamber experiment. The combined model accounted for 74% of the variability of LER, suggesting that it has a general value for any RIL under any environment.
Creating Competitive Advantage in the Premium Market Segment through a Sustainability Strategy

With increased pressure from external forces and consumers, companies have begun to incorporate sustainability into their business strategy and corporate objectives. This paper will outline successful tactics and examples of companies who have employed them. Faculty Advisor: Mike Burnette Author: Andrew “Elliott” Iberg Email: aiberg2@vols.utk. edu
Evidence of aberrant lipid metabolism in hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES Lipids are linked to many pathological processes including hepatic steatosis and liver malignancy. This study aimed to explore lipid metabolism in hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Serum lipids were measured in normal, HCV and HCV-HCC patients. Whole-genome microarray was performed to identify potential signature genes involved in lipid metabolism characterizing normal vs. HCV vs. HCV-HCC conditions. RESULTS Serum cholesterol was significantly reduced in HCV and HCV-HCC patients compared with normal controls, whereas there was no difference in glucose and triglycerides. Microarray analysis identified 224 probe sets with known functional roles in lipid metabolism (anova, 1.5-fold, P ≤ 0.001). Gene-mediated fatty acid (FA) de novo synthesis and uptake were upregulated in HCV and this upregulation was further enhanced in HCC. Genes involved in FA oxidation were downregulated in both the HCV and HCC groups. The abnormality of cholesterol metabolism in HCV was associated with downregulation of genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, absorption and transportation and bile acid synthesis; this abnormality was further intensified in HCC. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the notion that HCV-related lipid metabolic abnormalities may contribute to hepatic steatosis and the development of cancer. Identification of these aberrations would stratify patients and improve treatment algorithms.
Changes to financial incentives in English dentistry 2006-2009: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES To explore the views of NHS dentists in England regarding reforms, which changed their incentive and payment structure. METHODS Semi-structured interviews with 35 dentists, digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a constant comparative method. RESULTS Dentists reported changing their behaviour in response to incentives in ways that were likely to have adverse impacts on patients. There was also a loss of trust in NHS paymasters, as well as a loss of faith in the ability to provide high quality care in NHS dentistry. CONCLUSIONS Responses suggest that many dentists were quick to change behaviour following the introduction of a revised contractual structure in 2006. The coalition government in the UK has stated its intention to introduce a new NHS dental contract. Our data suggest that part of the process of changing behaviours, norms and attitudes will require the rebuilding of trust in the NHS amongst NHS dentists, as opposed to merely redesigning incentive structures, though the two are related.
Service‐oriented Thinking and its Implications for the Marketing Mix

Argues that a cognitive bias is found in the language used to describe services, since services are defined in relation to manufacturing. Proposes that services should be accurately described as they are very different from manufactured goods. Considers service from an alternative viewpoint, highlighting this perspective′s implications for marketing thought. Draws attention to practical implications with regard to the marketing mix.
Companion modelling for resilient and adaptive social agro-ecological systems in Asia

The Companion Modelling (ComMod) approach for renewable resource management (RRM) is a highly interactive collaborative modelling process used by researchers and local stakeholders to co-construct a shared representation of a given complex issue, and to use it to explore possible solutions of their choice through simulations. The scientific posture of the ComMod researcher creates an original relation between him, the models he develops, and the field actors and circumstances. By considering him/herself as part of the system under study, the researcher is one stakeholder among others in such action research process. ComMod main objectives are (i) to better understand a complex agro-ecosystem through the collaborative construction and joint use of different types of simulation models integrating various stakeholders' points of view, and (ii) to use these models within platforms for collective teaming to facilitate multiple stakeholders' coordination and negotiation processes leading to the definition of agreed-upon collective action plans to mitigate their common RRM problems. The ComMod approach relies very much on the use of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) combined in various ways with Role-Playing Games (RPG) to facilitate Integrated RRM (IRRM) by focusing on the management of interactions between ecological and social dynamics. A ComMod process alternates lab. modelling and field work phases in an iterative but evolving way, during which its hypotheses and methodology are systematically explicated and regularly questioned and adapted. Since the introduction of this approach and its tools in 2002, a dozen of ComMod case studies have been developed in the Southeast Asian region, most of them in Thailand. They looked at a broad range of topics ranging from highland catchment management, access to non timber forest products and cattle grazing in forest areas, crop substitution and market integration, land/water use and labour migrations, agro-biodiversity management in a rice seed system, and biodiversity conservation in coastal management. Following a brief history of the ComMod approach and a short presentation of its theoretical references, its objectives and fundamental principles are introduced. The main phases of a ComMod process, i.e. initialisation, conceptualization, model implementation & validation, scenario exploration, and monitoring & evaluation, are also presented. Finally, the future perspectives for the development of the ComMod approach and the current hot issues being debated are briefly discussed. (Resume d'auteur)
Cardiac risk assessment of the older cardiovascular patient: the Framingham Global Risk Assessment Tools.

WHY: The American Heart Association estimated 785,000 Americans would have a new coronary attack in 2009 (AHA Statistics, 2009). In the healthy older adult or the older adult with cardiovascular disease (CVD), determination of cardiovascular risk is important. Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors include: physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, uncontrolled elevated blood pressure, dyslipidemia, smoking, presence of metabolic syndrome (presence of three of the following five symptoms: abdominal obesity [waist circumference (men >40 inches, women >35 inches)]; elevated triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL; decreased HDL Cholesterol (men: <40 mg/dL, women <50 mg/dL); blood pressure ≥130/≥85 mmHg; and fasting blood glucose ≥110-125 mg/dL) and diabetes mellitus, as well as depressive symptoms and depression. Evidence-based national guidelines provide information needed to conduct comprehensive management of these cardiovascular risk factors.
Constitutive Behavior of Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu and Sn1.0Ag0.5Cu Alloys at Creep and Low Strain Rate Regimes

Constitutive models for SnAgCu solder alloys are of great interest at the present. Commonly, constitutive models that have been successfully used in the past for Sn-Pb solders are used to describe the behavior of SnAgCu solder alloys. Two issues in the modeling of lead-free solders demand careful attention: 1) Lead-free solders show significantly different creep strain evolution with time, stress and temperature, and the assumption of evolution to steady state creep nearly instantaneously may not be valid in SnAgCu alloys and 2) Models derived from bulk sample test data may not be reliable when predicting deformation behavior at the solder interconnection level for lead-free solders due to the differences in the inherent microstructures at these different scales. In addition, the building of valid constitutive models from test data derived from tests on solder joints must de-convolute the effects of joint geometry and its influence on stress heterogeneity. Such issues have often received insufficient attention in prior constitutive modeling efforts. In this study all of the above issues are addressed in developing constitutive models of Sn3.8Ag0. 7Cu and Sn1.0Ag0. 5Cu solder alloys, which represent the extremes of Ag composition that have been mooted at the present time. The results of monotonic testing are reported for strain rates ranging from 4.02E-6 to 2.40E-3 s-1. The creep behavior at stress levels ranging from 7.8 to 52 MPa is also described. Both types of tests were performed at temperatures of 25degC, 75degC and 125degC. The popular Anand model and the classical time-hardening creep model are fit to the data, and the experimentally obtained model parameters are reported. The test data are compared against other reported data in the literature and conclusions are drawn on the plausible sources of error in the data reported in the prior literature.
Essays in Market Microstructure and Investor Trading

This dissertation consists of three self-contained essays examining issues pertaining to market microstructure and investor trading. The first essay contributes to our understanding of the liquidity replenishment process in limit order book markets. A measure of resiliency is proposed and quantified for different liquidity shocks through the impulse response functions generated from a high frequency vector autoregression. The model reveals a rich set of liquidity dynamics. Liquidity shocks were found to have immediate detrimental effects on other dimensions of liquidity but the replenishment process generally occurs quickly, indicating limit order books are resilient. Cross-sectionally, resiliency is found to be consistently high across all large stocks, consistent with competition for liquidity provision coming from computerised algorithms. For other stocks, greater variation in resiliency is observed, indicating more selective participation by these liquidity providers. The second essay is motivated by concerns raised from the investment community on the impact of algorithmic trading among investors. A strong dichotomy exists between retail and non-retail investors, with non-retail investors predominantly having access to algorithmic trading technology. We compare the limit order behaviour and execution costs of retail and non-retail investors to provide insights into the extent to which technology benefits investors. Fundamental differences are found in the trading behaviours of the two groups, consistent with their inequalities in access to trading technology. We also find evidence consistent with some non-retail investors imposing adverse selection costs on the limit orders of retail investors, but our results fall short of supporting the view that algorithmic trading technology is severely disadvantaging retail investors. The third essay examines information-based trading by institutional and retail investors around earnings announcements. Prior to the announcement, limited and weak evidence is found of earnings anticipation, which is isolated to full-service retail investors. In contrast, strong trading patterns are observed for institutional and retail investors in response to earnings announcements, with the latter having the potential to drive the post-earnings announcement drift effect. We find that retail investor trades during the earnings announcement periods underperform their trades in non-announcement periods. This is driven mostly by the trading of discount retail investors, with top-tier institutional investors the likely beneficiaries, and cannot be attributed to the adverse selection of stale limit orders. Overall, our findings are consistent with investors having different information processing abilities. Contrary to the belief that earnings disclosures level the playing field, the release of earnings news exacerbates information asymmetries between the most and least skilled information processors.