Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronobiological Analysis of Circadian Patterns in Transcription of Seven Key Clock Genes in Six Peripheral Tissues in Mice

The molecular clock machinery in mammals consists of a number of clock genes (CGs) and their resultant proteins that form interlocking transcription‐translation feedback loops. These loops generate and maintain the 24 h mRNA and protein oscillations and consequential biological and physiological rhythms. To understand whether peripheral oscillators share similarly‐timed clock machinery, the temporal expression patterns of the seven recognized key CGs (mPer1, mPer2, mCry1, mCry2, mRev‐erb alpha, mClock, and mBmal1) were examined simultaneously in six peripheral tissues in mice every 4 h for 24 h in synchronized light‐dark conditions using real time PCR assays. Time series were analyzed for time‐effect by ANOVA and for rhythm characteristics by the single cosinor fitting procedure. The expression levels of most CGs were comparable in liver, kidney, and spleen, but mBmal1 and mCry1 were more abundant in the thymus, and mPer1, mCry1, and mCry2 were more abundant in the testis. In addition, mCry2 was dramatically lower in the kidney, spleen, and thymus; mPer2 was significantly lower in the spleen, testis, and thymus; and all of the genes tested were strikingly less abundant in peripheral blood. A significant 24 h rhythmic component was found for each CG in the liver and kidney and for some CGs in other tissues. Of note, a 12 h ultradian rhythmic component was also found in mRNA expression for some CGs in several of the tissues and was the only significant oscillation observed for CGs in the testis. Ultradian oscillations were also observed for mPer1 in the testis (8 h) and thymus (12 h and 8 h) in a second study where mice were sampled every 2 h. The present results suggest that the functioning of the molecular circadian clock may be modified to some extent between peripheral tissues, as denoted by differences in amplitude and phasing, and operates differently or is less developed in tissues containing differentiating cells (i.e., testis and thymus), as denoted by the presence of ultradian patterns resulting in two or more peaks within 24 h.
A fictitious domain approach to fluid-solid solid interaction including free surface flows

This work presents a new numerical method for a flu id-structure interaction based on a fictitious doma in approach[1]. To this end, the Navier-Stokes equatio ns are solved in the whole domain where the free surface and the body contour are captured using a V OF method[2]. In this framework, a infinite dynamic viscosity is adopted to mimic the solid. To describe the rigid b ody motion, a single degree of freedom model, able to r epresent translation or rotation, is embedded in th e code. In such a model, the body forces are represen t d by a spring (proportional to the displacement) a d a shock absorption force (proportional to the speed o f movement) volumetric forces in the solid region. The proposed strategy is tested in a sloshing damping s ystem and a wave energy converter system. The numerical results are compared with experimental da ta reported in the literature [3] and with data obt ained within the present study.
Globally convergent iterative numerical schemes for nonlinear variational image smoothing and segmentation on a multiprocessor machine

We investigate several iterative numerical schemes for nonlinear variational image smoothing and segmentation implemented in parallel. A general iterative framework subsuming these schemes is suggested for which global convergence irrespective of the starting point can be shown. We characterize various edge-preserving regularization methods from the image processing literature involving auxiliary variables as special cases of this general framework. As a by-product, global convergence can be proven under conditions slightly weaker than these stated in the literature. Efficient Krylov subspace solvers for the linear parts of these schemes have been implemented on a multiprocessor machine. The performance of these parallel implementations has been assessed and empirical results concerning convergence rates and speed-up factors are reported.
Broadband Deterministic Blind Beamforming for Speech Separation Using Microphone Arrays via Rotational Invariance Techniques

In this paper a novel approach for speech separation using microphone arrays is presented. It belongs to the class of deterministic blind beamforming (DBBF) approaches via rotational invariance techniques. Since speech should be considered as broadband sources in microphone array related applications, the conventional narrowband DBBF is extended to broadband cases in this paper. Utilizing the nonstationarity of speech, DBBF is implemented at the frequency bins of interest. In order to cope with the problem of channel swap, a rearranging operation is performed, based on the correlation coefficients between the frequency domain separated sequences of adjacent bins. Moreover, the scale ambiguity, another drawback of the general blind source separation approaches, is also eliminated in this paper. Numerical examples confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach
Simulation of shape changes and adhesion phenomena in an elastic model of erythrocytes.

We present simulations of a model of a closed membrane that shares important features with erythrocytes: resistance to bending and shear, membrane asymmetry, and an osmotic pressure difference between the interior and exterior. By varying a few parameters we obtain several realistic (e.g., biconcave and cup-like) shapes whose fluctuations, analogous to flickering of erythrocytes, and mutual transformations are studied in thermal equilibrium. Our simulations form a basis for quantitative analysis of recent experiments done on erythrocytes and artificial bilayer vesicles. They also predict effects that could be observed in experiments such as an "'unbinding" phenomenon, i.e., a separation of adhering cells induced by thermal fluctuations.
The role of expected future use in relationship‐based service retention

Purpose – Customer uncertainty of future contacts with the service provider creates a wide range of expectations of the relationship. Such variation and effective management of customer expectations have been not been well studied. The purpose of this research is to investigate the role of customers' expected future use in relationship based customer retention for continuously provided services, proposing and testing an empirical model that explores the interconnectedness of relationship quality, expected future use and customer retention.Design/methodology/approach – A theoretical framework is developed to suggest the role of expected future use in relationship‐based retention. Extant research from various academic fields, including marketing and psychology, is reviewed, deriving our hypotheses. Data collected from customers of a health club is examined through structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings – The study supports the assertion that that the effect of relationship quality (trust, commitment, a.
What can project managers learn from the Icelandic national football team’s managers in project management?

Football is one of the most popular sports in the world. In this thesis it is aimed to answer the question: What can project managers learn from the managers of the Icelandic national football team in project management? The thesis is built up in two ways: Qualitative study and quantitative study. Two in-depth interviews were conducted with the Icelandic national football team ́s managers and one open question was sent out to the Icelandic national football team. The IPMA eye of competence was used as a framework to categorize the results. The conclusions are that values, structured working environment, mutual trust, mutual respect and repetition are the main building blocks for the Icelandic national team ́s success. Football environment provides a good testing ground for project management, but since fewer variables affect the outcome in football it can be difficult to apply it directly to business. 1 Anna S. Vilhelmsdóttir Email: annasigga1976@gmail.com. Tel. : +354 7870181 1 Reykjavik University, School of Science and Engineering, Reykjavik, Iceland. Email: mpm@ru.is.
Viral Subversion of Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking

Trafficking of proteins and RNA into and out of the nucleus occurs through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Because of its critical function in many cellular processes, the NPC and transport factors are common targets of several viruses that disrupt key constituents of the machinery to facilitate viral replication. Many viruses such as poliovirus and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus inhibit protein import into the nucleus, whereas viruses such as influenza A virus target and disrupt host mRNA nuclear export. Current evidence indicates that these viruses may employ such strategies to avert the host immune response. Conversely, many viruses co‐opt nucleocytoplasmic trafficking to facilitate transport of viral RNAs. As viral proteins interact with key regulators of the host nuclear transport machinery, viruses have served as invaluable tools of discovery that led to the identification of novel constituents of nuclear transport pathways. This review explores the importance of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking to viral pathogenesis as these studies revealed new antiviral therapeutic strategies and exposed previously unknown cellular mechanisms. Further understanding of nuclear transport pathways will determine whether such therapeutics will be useful treatments for important human pathogens.
Study of a quantum fermi-acceleration model.

We consider the problem of a free particle in a rigid box with one wall fixed and the other oscillating periodically in time. The spectral properties of the evolution operator are calculated. We find that by a tuning of Planck's constant, the statistics of the quasienergy spectrum go continuously from showing Poisson to Gaussian-orthogonal-ensemble-like properties. This change is related to a transition from localized to extended states in energy space. We make the conjecture that recent results of microwave excitations on quasi one-dimensional highly excited hydrogen atoms may be related to this work.
Corporate interest rate risk management with derivatives in Australia: empirical results

Financial and insurance theories explain that large widely-held corporations manage corporate risks if doing so is costective to reduce frictional costs such as taxes, agency costs and financial distress costs. A large number of previous empirical studies, most in the U.S., have tested the hypotheses underlying corporate risk management with financial derivative instruments. In order to quantify corporate hedge demand, most previous studies have used the ratio of principal notional amount of derivatives to company size, although they recognize that company size is not an appropriate proxy for financial risk. This paper analyzes the interest-rate-risk hedge demand by Australian companies, measured through the ratio of principal notional amount of interest rate derivatives to interest-rate-riskbearing liabilities. Modern panel data methods are used, with two panel data sets from 1998 to 2003 (1102 and 465 observations, respectively). Detailed information about interest-rate-risk exposures was available after manual data collection from financial annual reports, which was only possible due to specific reporting requirements in Australian accounting standards. Regarding the analysis of the extent of hedge, our measurement of interest-rate-risk exposures generates some significant results di erent from those found in previous studies. For example, this study shows that total leverage (total debt ratio) is not significantly important to interest-rate-risk hedge demand and that, instead, this demand is related to the specific risk exposure in the interest bearing part of the firms liabilities. This study finds significant relations of interest-rate-risk hedge to company size, floating-interest-rate debt ratio, annual log returns, and company industry type (utilities and non-banking financial institutions).
Space Weather and Power Grids - A Vulnerability Assessment

Strong geomagnetic disturbances resulting from solar activity can have a major impact on ground-based infrastructures, such as power grids, pipelines and railway systems. The high voltage transmission network is particularly affected as currents induced by geomagnetic storms, so-called GICs, can severely damage network equipment possibly leading to system collapse. Therefore, increasing attention has been devoted to understanding the vulnerability of power grids to space weather conditions. In this study, we aim at analysing the vulnerability of power grids to extreme space weather. By means of complex network theory, we propose an analysis approach to understand how geomagnetically induced currents are driven through the power network based on its structural and physical characteristics. As a test network we used the Finnish power grid for which a study using network centrality measures was carried out to understand which components are the most critical for the system when exposed to an electric field of 1V/km. This information is helpful as the identification and ranking of critical components can help to identify where and how mitigation measures should be implemented to increase the system’s resilience to space weather impact. We have also subjected the grid to varying angles of the electric field. In addition, we have carried out a scoping study adding load flow to the GICs induced in the system. The preliminary results suggest that the benchmark system can resist GICs induced from high intensity electric fields. Moreover, the simplified network seems more prone to collapse if the electric field is oriented northward. Work is underway to further validate and expand our approach with the aim to eventually carry out a risk assessment of space weather impact on the power grid at EU level. Space Weather and Power Grids A Vulnerability Assessment Roberta Piccinelli and Elisabeth Krausmann
Data Balancing for Technologically Assisted Reviews: Undersampling or Reweighting

This paper provides approaches for automated support of citation screening in systematic reviews. Continuous active learning is chosen as our baseline approach, above which, two data balancing techniques are applied to handle the imbalance problem. These two techniques, aggressive undersampling and reweighting are tested and compared on 20 data sets for Diagnostic Test Accuracy (DTA) reviews. Results are evaluated by last rel and suggest that reweighting outperforms undersam-pling as it not only balances the training data, but also emphasizes the “content relevant” examples over “abstract relevant” ones and thus helps to retrieve “content relevant” papers earlier.
The Application of Intentional Subjective Properties and Mediated Communication Tools to Software Agents in Online Disputes Resolution Environments

This paper examines the use of subjective properties in modeling an architecture for cooperative agents using Agent Communication Language (ACL) that is used as a mediating tool for cooperative communication activities between and within software agents. The role that subjective and objective properties have in explaining and modeling agent internalization and externalization of ACL messages is investigated and related to Vygotsky’s developmental learning theories such as Mediated Activity Theory. A novel agent architecture ALMA (Agent Language Mediated Activity) based on the integration of agents’ subjective and objective properties within an agent communication activity framework will be presented. The relevance of software agents subjective properties in modeling applications such as e-Law Online Dispute Resolution for e-business contractual arrangements using natural language subject/object relation in their communication patterns will be discussed.
Some methodological issues of Technology roadmapping experienced during consultancy

The authors share some of their methodological recommendations based on their TRM-consultancy experience. They recommend: (1) using an ‘environment’ dimension of analysis (i.e. layer of the roadmap) instead of just ‘market’, (2) avoiding the usage of the popular oversimplified version of SWOT analysis instead of the full version, (3) using weighting scales based on the ‘magical number seven plus-minus two’ rule by Miller (1956) for quantifying the relations between the units of the TRM-analysis
Factor‐Market Rivalry and Competition for Supply Chain Resources

Organizations monitor factor-markets for strategic inputs that directly contribute to the firms' unique advantage. Thus, managers may be unaware of essential supporting inputs that bundle with strategic inputs to sustain the organization's success. Increasingly, supply chain resources are part of that strategic bundle of resources essential for achieving the firm's competitive advantage. This research employs a conceptual theory-building approach to examine competition among diverse industries in factor-markets using the example of supply chain services and the relatively new lens of factor-market rivalry theory. Data relative to air cargo capacity in China, port capacity in South Vietnam and the U.S. port and rail system provide the context for theoretical and practical insights into the implications of factor-market rivalry on firm performance.
An Exploratory Study of Self‐administrated Quck‐audits as a Management Diagnostic to Assess Marketing and Entrepreneurial Orientations in Established and Startup Firms

This paper explores the development and application of a self‐administered organizational diagnostic to assess the firm’s underlying business orientation. The research further explores the relationships between Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), Market Orientation (MO), and Performance with high tech firms headquartered in the Silicon Valley. In this initial study of 89 respondents, we explored differences in business orientation between startups and established firms. We also examined whether the constructs and their measurements could be used to provide managerials recommendations for performance improvements. We found that the interaction between EO and MO was positively and significantly related to business performance.
Customer and Employee Incivility and Its Causal Effects in the Hospitality Industry

ABSTRACT The present research sought to understand customer and employee incivility in the hospitality industry. The study identified customer actions that are perceived as uncivil by employees and coping strategies used by employees after experiencing uncivil behavior. Finally, service-recovery situations are differentiated from security-related incidents and guidance is offered to hospitality managers regarding the minimization of customer incivility. An empirical survey was distributed to 297 hotel employees. Regression analysis indicated that the effects of customer incivility were an increase in: customer aggression, employee negative emotions, employee-to-customer incivility, employee-to-employee incivility, and employee sensitivity to uncivil acts. The effects of employee-to-employee incivility were increased customer aggression and negative emotions, but decreased sensitivity to uncivil acts. Uncivil behaviors by customers included insulting comments, anger, frustration, verbal attacks, and condescending behavior. The identification of uncivil behaviors and their effects can assist in training staff in identifying and managing such actions and in devising mitigation strategies.
The New Service Development Process in Successful Small Entrepreneurial Firms

This original empirical work examines the development process characteristics of small entrepreneurial service firms. The results of 12 interviews suggest that successful entrepreneurial innovation projects are the result of a five-stage process model. This entrepreneurial new service development process model differs somewhat from the proposed process models, focusing on large service corporations. Besides a more flexible and informal process for entrepreneurial services, the development cost and the final market price are strongly related to success.
Towards Power Optimization and Implementation of Probabilistic Circuits Using Single-Electron Technology

With continuous CMOS technology scaling toward its physical limits, there has been a growing demand for next-generation technologies with nanometer scale and novel design architectures. Single-electron (SE) technology is one of those candidates that can lead to high density and low power consumption for large-scale integration, at a cost of reduced reliability. Considering the fact that probabilistic circuits are able to realize fault-tolerant architectures, implementing probabilistic circuits with SE technology would be a natural solution for future electronic applications. In this paper, we first study the probabilistic behavior and implementation of SE logic, and show an exponential relation between logic gate's reliability and its energy consumption. A gate-level power optimization for probabilistic circuits is then proposed to minimize their power cost under given reliability constraints. Comparison with simulated annealing (SA) based method shows that the proposed approach can obtain promising results within a reasonably short time.
Feedback stabilization of transition boiling states

A nonlinear one-dimensional heat-transfer model for pool boiling systems is considered. The model involves only the temperature distribution within the heater and models the heat exchange with the boiling medium via a nonlinear boundary condition imposed at the fluid-heater interface. This compact model is employed for the design and analysis of a control strategy for the stabilization of unstable states in order to improve cooling applications based on boiling heat transfer. Therefore, a state feedback controller is implemented that regulates the heat supply as a function of the system's internal state. Simulations of the nonlinear closed-loop system expose the state feedback controller as a viable option for the rapid stabilization and regulation of pool boiling systems at an unstable equilibrium point.
Banking Sector Openness and Economic Growth

Banking sector openness may directly increase growth by improving the quality of financial services and increasing funds available, or indirectly by improving the efficiency of financial intermediaries, both of which may reduce the cost of financing, in turn, increase capital accumulation and economic growth. The objective of this paper is to empirically reinvestigate these direct and indirect links, using a more advanced econometric technique (generalised method-of-moments [GMM] dynamic panel estimators). An illustrative model is presented to link financial market development with investment. The empirical results support the presence of direct and indirect links, thus encouraging countries planning to open their financial markets.