Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Link Between Knowledge Management Performance and Firm Performance

The resource-based theory of the firm attributes superior firm performance to organizational resources that are valuable, rare, irreplaceable, and most readily reproduced. Aligned with this theory, the dissertation examines the widely expressed notion that knowledge management (KM) competencies form a critical organizational resource that contributes to firm performance. Specifically, this dissertation addresses the question: can KM pay off? Using the findings of an independent research company and the data from Compustat, this dissertation empirically examines the relationship between KM performance and firm performance in terms of both accounting and market measures. Matched Sample Comparison Group (MSCG) methodology is employed to test the research hypotheses. This study contributes to the KM literature by going beyond case studies and opinion surveys in providing empirical evidence of the importance of KM. It contributes to the finance literature by studying previously unexplored link between financial performance and KM performance. It also contributes to management practice by furnishing evidence that superior KM does indeed predict superior firm performance.
Fuzzy and PD controller based intelligent control of spillway gates of dams

In this paper a new and efficient control method based on the integration of classical proportional-derivative controller and a fuzzy logic controller proposed for real-time operation of spillway gates of a reservoir during any flood of any magnitude up to the probable maximum flood. In order to demonstrate the high performance of the proposed method, we simulate the control system using different probable overflow hydrographs. The results of the proposed control method are compared with the results of the conventional control methods. The results obtained from the simulations indicate that the proposed method exhibits high performance over the conventional reservoir flood operation with much more desirable results.
Cysteinyl Leukotrienes Impair Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction in Endotoxemic Mice

Background: Sepsis impairs hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) in patients and animal models, contributing to systemic hypoxemia. Concentrations of cysteinyl leukotrienes are increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with sepsis, but the contribution of cysteinyl leukotrienes to the impairment of HPV is unknown. Methods: Wild-type mice, mice deficient in leukotriene C4 synthase, the enzyme responsible for cysteinyl leukotriene synthesis, and mice deficient in cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 were studied 18 h after challenge with either saline or endotoxin. HPV was measured by the increase in left pulmonary vascular resistance induced by left mainstem bronchus occlusion. Concentrations of cysteinyl leukotrienes were determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Results: In the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of all three strains, cysteinyl leukotrienes were not detectable after saline challenge; whereas endotoxin challenge increased cysteinyl leukotriene concentrations in wild-type mice and mice deficient in cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1, but not in mice deficient in leukotriene C4 synthase. HPV did not differ among the three mouse strains after saline challenge (120 ± 26, 114 ± 16, and 115 ± 24%, respectively; mean ± SD). Endotoxin challenge markedly impaired HPV in wild-type mice (41 ± 20%) but only marginally in mice deficient in leukotriene C4 synthase (96 ± 16%, P < 0.05 vs. wild-type mice), thereby preserving systemic oxygenation. Although endotoxin modestly decreased HPV in mice deficient in cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (80 ± 29%, P < 0.05 vs. saline challenge), the magnitude of impairment was markedly less than in endotoxin-challenged wild-type mice. Conclusion: Cysteinyl leukotrienes importantly contribute to endotoxin-induced impairment of HPV in part via a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1-dependent mechanism.
The Affective Core of the Self: A Neuro-Archetypical Perspective on the Foundations of Human (and Animal) Subjectivity

Psychologists usually considered the “Self” as an object of experience appearing when the individual perceives its existence within the conscious field. In accordance with such a view, the self-representing capacity of the human mind has been related to corticolimbic learning processes taking place within individual development. On the other hand, Carl Gustav Jung considered the Self as the core of our personality, in its conscious and unconscious aspects, as well as in its actual and potential forms. According to Jung, the Self originates from an inborn dynamic structure integrating the essential drives of our “brain–mind,” and leading both to instinctual behavioral actions and to archetypal psychological experiences. Interestingly, recent neuroethological studies indicate that our subjective identity rests on ancient neuropsychic processes that humans share with other animals as part of their inborn constitutional repertoire. Indeed, brain activity within subcortical midline structures (SCMSs) is intrinsically related to the emergence of prototypical affective states, that not only influence our behavior in a flexible way, but alter our conscious field, giving rise to specific feelings or moods, which constitute the first form of self-orientation in the world. Moreover, such affective dynamics play a central role in the organization of individual personality and in the evolution of all other (more sophisticated) psychological functions. Therefore, on the base of the convergence between contemporary cutting-edge scientific research and some psychological intuitions of Jung, we intend here to explore the first neuroevolutional layer of human mind, that we call the affective core of the Self.
Retinoic acid receptors α and γ are involved in antioxidative protection in renal tubular epithelial cells injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation

Abstract Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a common outcome in various chronic kidney diseases. Injury to renal tubular epithelial cell (RTEC) is major link in RIF. Hypoxia is one of the common factors for RTEC damage. Retinoic acid receptors (RARs), RARα, RARβ and RARγ, are evolutionary conserved and pleiotropic proteins that have been involved in various cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and transcription. Recently, we discovered that aberrant expression of RARs was involved in the development of RIF in rats. Here, we investigated the role of RARs in the hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) damage model in RTEC with virus-based delivery vectors to knockdown or overexpress RARs. Relevant indicators were detected. Our results showed that HR inhibited RARα and RARγ expressions in a time-dependent manner in RTECs; however, the expression of RARβ was not changed obviously. RARα and RARγ overexpression could protect cells from oxidative stress-induced injury by inhibiting HR-induced intracellular superoxide anion (O2−) generation, cell viability and mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) decrease and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) expression and promoting endogenous antioxidant defense components, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH). Meanwhile, inhibition of RARα and RARγ expressions by small interference RNAs (siRNA) resulted in a less resistance of RTEC to HR as shown in increased O2− production and TGF-β1 expression and decreased cell viability, MMP, SOD and GSH levels. These data indicates that RARα and RARγ act as positive regulators to offset oxidative damage and profibrosis cytokine accumulation and therefore has an antioxidative effect.
EMG Analysis Methods on Robotic Gait Machines

Gait impairment is one of the consequences of events like stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or neurodegenerative diseases like Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinsons' Disease. The restoration and improvement of walking functions is one of the primary concerns of the rehabilitation of neurological Patients. To achieve this goal, a task specific repetitive training seems the most promising strategy (Jorgensen et al., 1995). Conventional physiotherapy stresses out the reduction of an elevated muscle tone and the practice of gait preparatory tasks while sitting or standing. Accordingly, the number of steps practised rarely exceeds 50 to 80 steps during one therapy session (Hesse et al., 1995). To increase the number of steps during therapy, the treadmill training with partial body weight support was a first step. Over the last years, there has been a growing support for the use of manual assisted treadmill training in neurorehabilitation programs. Studies showed that individuals who receive body weight supported treadmill training following stroke, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury improve their muscle activity during locomotion and gait symmetry. The main limitation with manual assisted body weight supported treadmill therapy is that a training session relies on several physical therapists to assist the patients' leg and hip movements through the gait cycle by hand. This results in short training sessions because of the physical effort required by the therapists and limits the potential of the treatment for the required training intensity may not be reached (Barbeu & Visintin 2003). Robotic Gait Machines were developed to bypass these limiting factors. The gait machines move the legs of the patients through specified patterns. This is made either by applying an exoskeleton or an end-effector principle. The exoskeleton devices known so far are the Lokomat (Colombo et al., 2000), the LOPES (Veneman et al. 2007), the AutoAmbulator (Healthsouth Corporation, 2004) and the Sara (MPD Costruzioni Meccaniche, 2010). Typical end-effector devices are the GangTrainer GT I (Hesse & Uhlenbrock, 2000), the LokoHelp (Freivogel et al., 2008), the Hapic Walker (Schmidt et al., 2005), the 6 Degrees of Freedom Gait Robot (Yoon et al., 2010) and the G-EO Systems (Hesse et al., 2010). The exoskeleton is equipped with programmable drives or passive elements which flex the knees and hips during the swing phase. With the other principle the feet are placed on foot
Synchrophasor Estimation Using Prony's Method

Prony's method can be used as a dynamic phasor estimator. It can be regarded as the adaptive approximation of its complex exponential signal model to the dynamic phasor of an oscillation over a finite time interval. Equipped with a closed signal model, it is possible to implement it in one cycle. In its first adaptive stage, it estimates the best damping and frequency for its signal model; and, in the second one, the best phasor over the considered time window. This paper compares the performance of Prony's method with that of the very wellknown one-cycle Fourier filter. With a higher flexibility, due to its adaptive nature, Prony estimates improve the Fourier ones under oscillation conditions. The Fourier filter can be considered as a static subclass of the Prony filters. With its static signal model, it is unable to accurately follow oscillations when the frequency fluctuates. Additionally, the Prony filter, together with its phasor estimates, provides instantaneous estimates of damping and frequency, corresponding to the first derivative of amplitude and phase, which are very useful to assess the power system stability. Finally, by being implemented in one-cycle windows, and its good rejection of the dc or exponentially attenuated components, it can also be used in protection applications.
Professional Opinions of the Use of Telemedicine in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

The Telemedicine project at Yorkhill Hospital, Glasgow was set up in 2004 to aid in the rapid diagnosis of children at a distant location. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are now the largest users. CAMHS use this service for clinical work, service development and to aid research. Twenty four CAMHS professionals with experience of the telemedicine facility were asked to complete questionnaires outlining their opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of the facility; 19 responded. The results showed a wide variety of professionals use the facility and that clinical work makes up the majority of the use. An advantage to rural populations in Scotland was considered the most important benefit. Saving time and an improved method of communication were also highlighted as important. Failure of technology and problems with sound quality were highlighted as drawbacks. Seventy nine percent of subjects stated that they preferred Telemedicine to Telephone conferencing. The results show the Telemedicine facility is perceived as a positive addition to CAMHS in Scotland. Therefore, its use should be encouraged in other areas of medicine and surgery.
Limiting the parameter search space for dynamic models with rational kinetics using semi-definite programming

Abstract Estimation of kinetic parameters is a key step in modelling, as direct measurements are often expensive, time-consuming or even infeasible. The class of dynamic models in polynomial form is particularly relevant in systems biology and biochemical engineering, as those models naturally arise from modelling biochemical reactions using for instance mass action, Michaelis-Menten or Hill kinetics. Often the parameters are not uniquely identifiable for a given model structure and measurement set. Thus the question of which parameters are consistent or inconsistent with the data arises naturally. Here we present a method capable of proving inconsistency of entire parameter regions with the data. Based on the polynomial representation of the system, we formulate a feasibility problem that can be solved efficiently by semi-definite programming. The feasibility problem allows us to check consistency of entire parameter regions by using upper and lower bounds on the parameters. This drastically limits the search space for subsequent parameter estimation methods. In contrast to similar approaches in the literature, the here presented approach does not require a steady state assumption. Measurements at discrete time points are used, but neither regular sampling intervals, nor a time discretisation of the system is required. Measurement uncertainties are dealt with using upper and lower bounds on the measured states.
Accumulation of Ricinoleic, Lesquerolic, and Densipolic Acids in Seeds of Transgenic Arabidopsis Plants That Express a Fatty Acyl Hydroxylase cDNA from Castor Bean

A cDNA encoding the oleate 12-hydroxylase from castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) has previously been shown to direct the synthesis of small amounts of ricinoleic acid (12-hydroxyoctadeccis-9-enoic acid) in seeds of transgenic tobacco plants. Expression of the cDNA under control of the Brassica napus napin promoter in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants resulted in the accumulation of up to 17% of seed fatty acids as ricinoleate and two novel fatty acids that have been identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as lesquerolic (14-hydroxyeicos-cis-11-enoic acid) and densipolic (12-hydroxyoctadec-cis-9,15-dienoic acid) acids. Traces of auricolic acid were also observed. These results suggest that either the castor hydroxylase can utilize oleic acid and eicosenoic acid as substrates for ricinoleic and lesquerolic acid biosynthesis, respectively, or Arabidopsis contains an elongase that accepts ricinoleic acid as a substrate. These observations are also consistent with indirect biochemical evidence that an n-3 desaturase is capable of converting ricinoleic acid to densipolic acid. Expression of the castor hydroxylase also caused enhanced accumulation of oleic acid and a corresponding decrease in the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Since the steady-state level of mRNA for the oleate-12 desaturase was not affected, it appears that the presence of the hydroxylase, directly or indirectly, causes posttranscriptional inhibition of desaturation.
Detection of fluid vortices based on compensated FMCW-radar phase measurements

In this contribution, a measurement concept for the detection of fluid vortices is presented. The approach utilizes the pressure-dependent relative permittivity of gases, which connected to the pressure distribution of a gas vortex leads to a detectable permittivity deviation. Since the measurement effect is very small, phase measurements of a high precise and low jitter FMCW-radar system are applied. Moreover, disturbances caused by vibrations of the measurement setup are compensated out of the measurement signal.
μ-Oxido-bis[hydridotris(trimethylphosphane-κP)iridium(III)](Ir—Ir) bis(tetrafluoridoborate) dihydrate

The title compound, [Ir2H2O(C3H9P)6](BF4)2·2H2O, was isolated from the reaction between [Ir(COD)(PMe3)3]BF4 and H2 in water (COD is cycloocta-1,5-diene). The asymmetric unit consists of one IrIII atom bonded to three PMe3 groups, one hydride ligand and half an oxide ligand, in addition to a BF4 − counter-ion and one water molecule of hydration. The single oxide ligand bridging two IrIII atoms is disordered across an inversion center with each O atom having a 50% site occupancy. Each IrIII atom has three PMe3 groups occupying facial positions, with the half-occupancy O atoms, a hydride ligand and an Ir—Ir bond completing the coordination sphere. The Ir—Ir distance is 2.8614 (12) Å, comparable to other iridium(III) metal–metal bonds. Two water molecules hydrogen bond to two BF4 − anions in the unit cell.
Involvement of nipple and areola in early breast cancer

In 141 mastectomy specimens, performed for invasive or noninvasive carcinomas, histopathologic study was performed to assess the extent of nipple‐areola involvement by the tumor. In this study, patients were excluded if (1) the tumor was located beneath the areola; and (2) nipple and/or areola abnormalities were clinically present. Tumor involvement of the nipple and/or areola was found in 44 of 141 specimens (31%), with intraductal growth in 36 (82%) of 44, stromal invasion in 3 (7%), and ductal and stromal invasion in 5 (11%). Analysis of nipple‐areolar involvement with consideration of the different variables indicates that it occurred in association with tumor size, tumor‐areola distance, and histologic type. Such information provides clinically relevant guidelines in decision making for limited breast surgery.
The Genetic and Transcriptional Basis of Short and Long Term Adaptation across Multiple Stresses in Escherichia coli

Microbes exhibit short and long term responses when exposed to challenging environmental conditions. To what extent these responses are correlated, what their evolutionary potential is and how they translate to cross-stress fitness is still unclear. In this study, we comprehensively characterized the response of Escherichia coli populations to four abiotic stresses (n-butanol, osmotic, acidic, and oxidative) and their combinations by performing genome-scale transcriptional analysis and growth profiling. We performed an analysis of their cross-stress behavior which identified 15 cases of cross- protection and one case of cross vulnerability. To elucidate the evolutionary potential of stress responses to individual stresses and stress combinations, we re-sequenced E. coli populations evolved in those four environments for 500 generations. We developed and applied a network-driven method that integrates mutations and differential expression to identify core and stress-specific gene communities that are likely to have a phenotypic impact. Our results suggest that beyond what is expected from the general stress response mechanisms, cross-stress behavior arises both from common pathways, several including metal ion binding and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and stress-specific expression programs. The stress-specific dependences uncovered, argue that cross-stress behavior is ubiquitous and central to understanding microbial physiology under stressful conditions.
A middleware approach to building large-scale open shared virtual worlds

With the tremendous success of the Internet, multi-participant real time applications based on a shared "virtual world" paradigm are bound to develop at a fast pace: multi-user online games, virtual shopping malls, concurrent design applications, etc. These applications attempt to give end users the illusion of being immersed in a conceptually unique shared virtual environment where they can interact in, real time with other users or computer-controlled entities. The critical point is to provide a consistent view of the world to all participants. Classical client-server approaches work well for a limited number of users on a local network, but fail when trying to support large scale shared virtual worlds with a large number of users on an open network with uncontrolled resources like the Internet. The paper presents the Continuum platform which aims to offer a software oriented framework for 3D shared worlds, based on a shared object replication model and a set of interfaces describing services. The paper identifies the requirements of such a platform and shows how the architecture of Continuum tries to answer these requirements. Focus is put on the end user application programmer point of view. An example application illustrates how the framework can be used and specialized.
An efficient key management scheme for pervasive computing

In this paper we propose a variant of RSA public key scheme, called "hidden exponent RSA". Based on this new scheme, we devised an efficient key distribution/management scheme for secure communication among devices in the context of pervasive computing, with emphasis on the simplicity and efficiency of the protocol. We show the new scheme is secure under the strong RSA assumption.
Sphingosine kinase 1 is required for TGF-β mediated fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation in ovarian cancer

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1), the enzyme that produces sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P), is known to be highly expressed in many cancers. However, the role of SPHK1 in cells of the tumor stroma remains unclear. Here, we show that SPHK1 is highly expressed in the tumor stroma of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC), and is required for the differentiation and tumor promoting function of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Knockout or pharmacological inhibition of SPHK1 in ovarian fibroblasts attenuated TGF-β-induced expression of CAF markers, and reduced their ability to promote ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion in a coculture system. Mechanistically, we determined that SPHK1 mediates TGF-β signaling via the transactivation of S1P receptors (S1PR2 and S1PR3), leading to p38 MAPK phosphorylation. The importance of stromal SPHK1 in tumorigenesis was confirmed in vivo, by demonstrating a significant reduction of tumor growth and metastasis in SPHK1 knockout mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the potential of SPHK1 inhibition as a novel stroma-targeted therapy in HGSC.