Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computational methods for cancer driver discovery: A survey

Identifying the genes responsible for driving cancer is of critical importance for directing treatment. Accordingly, multiple computational tools have been developed to facilitate this task. Due to the different methods employed by these tools, different data considered by the tools, and the rapidly evolving nature of the field, the selection of an appropriate tool for cancer driver discovery is not straightforward. This survey seeks to provide a comprehensive review of the different computational methods for discovering cancer drivers. We categorise the methods into three groups; methods for single driver identification, methods for driver module identification, and methods for identifying personalised cancer drivers. In addition to providing a “one-stop” reference of these methods, by evaluating and comparing their performance, we also provide readers the information about the different capabilities of the methods in identifying biologically significant cancer drivers. The biologically relevant information identified by these tools can be seen through the enrichment of discovered cancer drivers in GO biological processes and KEGG pathways and through our identification of a small cancer-driver cohort that is capable of stratifying patient survival.
Go to market strategy : role of medical device regulation in EU

Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu Tampere University of Applied Sciences Master’s Degree in Business Administration International Business Management HEINONEN, TUOMO: Go to market strategy: Role of Medical Device Regulation in EU Master's thesis 61 pages November 2017 This thesis focused on new Medical Device Regulation (MDR) in European Union. MDR became effective on May 25, 2017 with three years’ transition time. Change in regulation brings a disruption to medical device companies’ external environment and this regulatory landscape change has significant implications to go to market (GTM) strategy. Aim of this thesis is to study what are the significant changes in MDR affecting mostly to the GTM strategy. Methodologically this thesis followed a constructive approach aiming to develop a construction to solve a specific research problem. Thesis followed qualitative research approach with methods such as document analysis and interviews. Document analysis included 15 documents focusing on changes in MDR and the results of analysis were used to focus to the significant changes in MDR compared to previous regulations. As a result, 9 major groups of changes were identified: full life-cycle approach, new databases, product classification and approval, quality management system and related requirements, post-market surveillance system and vigilance, clinical development and surveillance, supply chain management, authorities and their roles, and implantable devices. These topics were then analyzed from GTM strategy viewpoint and linked to theoretical model of GTM strategy. Finally, practical conclusions were presented for each of the elements of GTM strategy i.e. regulatory strategy, internal analysis, external analysis, target market selection, entry mode decision, marketing plan, and tactical plan. Major recommendations included the need to rethink product portfolio because of the change in MDR and the need to start thinking GTM strategy from the very beginning of the product development in order to have all regulatory requirements implemented appropriately.
Multi-delay network based IEEE 802.15.4 for low delay deterministic networked control systems

Wireless networked control systems have gained significant popularity due to commissioning and maintenance ease. IEEE 802.15. 4 standard is one of wireless communication protocol for low delay deterministic network. Factory automation, not only needs low delay but also requires the network that should has the capacity of various delay devices. In this paper, we propose a scheme, satisfying the muli-delay network in the networked control system. Experiments are using TI SmartRF04EB evaluation boards with CC2530 SoC and TIMAC software stack CC2530 boards, as well as dc servo motors for a speed tracking control problem.
Motion planning and control of formations of micro aerial vehicles

Abstract A model predictive control based algorithm for maintenance of leader-follower formations of micro-scale aerial vehicles is proposed in this paper. The approach is designed for stabilization of teams of unmanned quadrotor helicopters and for their motion planning into a distant target region. The presented method of the model predictive control with a planning horizon enables integration of an obstacle avoidance function into the local control of the formation as well as into the global plan of formation movement. Deployment of the method in real-world scenarios, with particular interest in failure recovery and inter-vehicle avoidance, is verified in various simulations.
A Review on Spatial Pattern Methods for Brain-Computer Interface

Brain-computer interface technology is the one in which the user’s mental intentions are captured and used as control signals for external devices. BCI researches are becoming more popular as it can be used as a means of communication for people with severe disability. The efficiency of a BCI system depends on its signal processing stages. The signal processing stages include the signal acquisition, feature extraction and classification. In this paper, a brief review of one of the feature extraction methods called spatial pattern algorithms for BCI is provided.
Critical success factors for Big Data adoption in the virtual retail: Magazine Luiza case study

Purpose – The objective of this research was to identify critical success factors for the adoption of Big Data in the virtual retail, through a case study of Magazine Luiza. The use of Big Data, in this case, focused on improving its system of recommendations for a better understanding of consumer behavior. Design/methodology/approach – The case study was done through interviews, observation of the shopping recommendation system and analyzes of institutional presentations of the Bob project. A semistructured interview script was used in the interviews. Findings – Based on the results, we outline some propositions related to the opportunities and obstacles for the implementation of Big Data in the virtual retail in Brazil. Some of these propositions are in line with what literature, especially BI, has been discussing. However, they still need to be discussed in the context of Big Data. Originality/value – The main contribution of the research was the identification of relevant factors to the adoption of Big Data that were not considered as critical for the adoption of previous technologies.
Optimal dispatch of a multiple energy carrier system equipped with a CCHP

With the development of distributed generation (DG) technologies and the implementation of policies to encourage their applications, The Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (CCHP) systems is expected to play a greater role in the commercial buildings in the future. CCHP is a promising efficiency improvement and carbon mitigation strategy, but careful operation mode is required to achieve a reasonable system performance according to energy consumption characteristics of buildings and technical features of equipments [1]. This paper presents an energy dispatch method which minimizes the cost of energy (e.g., cost of electricity from the grid and cost of natural gas into the gas turbine and boiler) base on the energy hub concept and by regarding carbon market rules. The system includes combined heating power (CHP) module, auxiliary boiler, absorption chiller, utility grid and electrical, thermal, and cooling loads. In fact, by solving this model, optimal energy flow will be determined regarding both the amounts of electric, thermal, and cooling loads in each time interval and prices of electricity and natural gas at the same time, by considering environmental constrains. In the cost function of this model, the total economic benefit of this system is maximized during total daily operation time. The results of an optimal operation model have been discussed economically and a case study has been investigated.
A Model of Managerial Talent: Addressing Some Puzzles in CEO Compensation

In this paper we present an adverse selection model of managerial talent. The model can account for some empirical regularities in executive compensation such as the higher level of CEO pay and the prominence of incentive pay in large and high-volatility firms as well as the controversial evidence on career concerns. Relative performance evaluation (RPE) is only obtained if the performance function is weakly separable on managerial talent and internal productivity factors. These predictions stand in sharp contrast to those of competing theories based upon moral hazard, managerial talent, and rent extraction.
Using Mobile Devices for Learning in School Education

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using mobile devices for promoting subject learning in school education. A total of 43 Chinese students from two Primary 4 classes in a primary school in Hong Kong participated in this study. One class was randomly assigned as the experimental class, while the other class as the control class. Students in the experimental class used mobile devices to learn about perimeter of polygons while those in the control class learned the same topic with paper-based materials. The results of pre-test and post-test show that students in the experimental class achieved a significant improvement in their learning performance. Furthermore, the responses from student interview indicate that students in the experimental class were generally satisfied with classroom learning with mobile devices because of two reasons: i) an increased level of student control, and ii) an enhanced communication between peers and between the teacher and students. These findings reveal the pedagogical potential of mobile devices to promote deep learning through classroom-based dialogic interaction in class time.
One-cycle controlled active rectifier for full digital implementation

This paper presents a discrete implementation of a Triangular One Cycle Control for three phase active rectifiers. The algorithm is characterised by triangular modulation carrier and can be implementated using a programmable logic device, thus obtaining increased feasibility and performance over analog OCCs systems. Simulation results and comparisons with another three-phase active rectifier control method show that the proposed MT-OCC offers satisfactory performance in terms of high power factor control, low harmonic pollution, fast and accurate dc output voltage regulation and high stability during regenerative operations.
Novel multilevel modulation scheme for high capacity digital wireless access

This paper proposes a novel multilevel modulation scheme called amplitude ratio and phase modulation (ARPM). This scheme employs amplitude ratio and differential phase between two sequential transmission symbols as modulating signals. In this scheme, two amplitude ratios, one less than 1 and the other greater than 1, are allocated to one transmission symbol to avoid the conditions under which the modulated wave amplitude diverges to infinity or converges to zero. Demodulating an ARPM wave is feasible without precise level detection or accurate coherent detection even in a fast fading environment. Suitable mapping for transmission signal points in ARPM and suitable level decision for received ARPM wave are discussed. The static BER performance and the equivalent ATPC effect in ARPM are evaluated. The results confirm that ARPM is suitable for high capacity digital wireless access systems such as future broadband multimedia wireless access systems.
WALNUT ROOTSTOCK TRANSFORMATION AND REGENERATION FROM VEGETATIVE TISSUE

The primary goal of this proposal is to develop novel regeneration technologies needed to engineer walnut rootstocks for pest and disease resistance. The productivity of the walnut industry of California is dependent the availability of superior rootstocks to combat soil disease and pest problems. Individual selections displaying resistance to either Phytophthora crown or root rots or to root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus vulnus, have been identified and can be clonally propagated but these selections are susceptible to crown gall. Rootstocks with multiple resistances are clearly desirable. Walnut transformation depends on the use of somatic embryos. Somatic embryos are readily obtained from immature, and therefore uncharacterized, seed but not from vegetative or other mature tissues. This precludes inserting any genes into a rootstock exhibiting another superior trait if the trait was identified in a seedling or mature tree. Walnuts have a long generation time and the most promising rootstocks, hybrids of English walnut x black walnut, are sterile or nearly sterile, factors that severely impede developing multiple resistances by breeding. The recent discoveries of genes that stimulate regeneration provide a unique avenue to develop cultivar independent transformation for walnut. Developing the capability to insert genes into elite walnut rootstock will provide a significant tool for improving walnut trees for the California walnut industry. OBJECTIVES 1. To test the efficacy of the XVE inducer system in walnut somatic embryos and track expression at various stages of the regenerated plant. 2. To determine the capability the ESR1 and PGA6 genes, under the control of a constitutive promoter and the XVE inducible system, to stimulate the production of transgenic somatic embryos or organogenic shoots for a range of rootstock germplasm. 3. To determine the regeneration capability of vegetative tissue collected from in vitro shoots established from embryos transformed with the ESR1 and PGA6 genes and determine if this capability to regenerate is maintained as the tree ages. 4. To determine the regeneration capability of vegetative tissues collected from in vitro shoots established from greenhouse and field grown elite trees when transformed with the ESR1 and PGA6 genes under the control of the XVE inducer system. PROCEDURES Establishing Agrobacterium cultures for transformation: Forty 40 μl of the glycerol stock of Agrobacterium strain EHA 105 containing the binary vector pER10-GFP, pDU03-PGA6 or pDU03-ERS1 (see below) was used to inoculate 20 ml of MGL medium (pH 7.0) containing 10 mg/l rifampicin, 5mg/l tetracycline and 20 mg/l spectinomycin sulfate, and incubated overnight
Impulse buying behavior on consumer retail fashion in Surabaya-Indonesia

Impulse buying are mostly describe as purchases that suddenly made by consumers without proper consideration of buying process decision making. Causes of impulsive buying is very diverse both because of the influence of internal and external factors. All products maybe purchased impulsively, mostly for fashion. Consumers’ impulsive buying behavior in retailfashion is triggered by a physical shopping environment, the decision to buy a fashion’s product are unplanned. Purchase decisions are often directly made in the store. Impulse buying is also influenced by consumer involvement to the product, motives of shopping and emotional factors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of internal factors which are product involvement, hedonic purchase tendency and positive emotion; and store atmosphere as external factor towards impulse buying behavior. The results showed that product involvement has positive effect on hedonic shopping tendency and positive emotion. Store atmosphere has positive effect on hedonic shopping tendency and positive emotion, as well. Moreover, positive emotion has positive effect on impulse buying behavior. Otherwise, hedonic shopping tendency has negative effect on impulse buying behavior.
Market Benefits of Chain of Custody Certification Perspectives of Japanese Suppliers

Japan grants the largest number of chain of custody certificates outside Europe and North America. Certified companies may receive market benefits from their own certification and certified products. In this study, we examined the benefits of chain of custody certification in the forest products market in Japan. A nationwide survey was conducted from October to December 2005 of 132 companies that had obtained a chain of custody certificate from one of the certifying bodies operating in Japan: the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC), or the Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council (SGEC). In the mailed questionnaire, respondents were asked if they received any premium from their certified products. The perceived level of benefits gained from a chain of custody certification was also measured using a 5-point scale. Results indicated that it was not possible for most Japanese companies to receive premium prices for certified forest products. Factor analysis determined three benefit dimensions: (1) business performance, (2) customer relations, and (3) environmental communication. The mean benefit rating of environmental communication was the highest, followed by customer relations. Business performance was rated significantly lower than the other two dimensions. Paper products companies, as well as large companies (≥ 300 employees), received relatively high benefits from certification.
Population genetic consequences of geographic disjunction: a prairie plant isolated on Great Lakes alvars

Species may often exhibit geographic variation in population genetic structure due to contemporary and historical variation in population size and gene flow. Here, we test the predictions that populations on the margins of a species’ distribution contain less genetic variation and are more differentiated than populations towards the core of the range by comparing patterns of genetic variation at five microsatellite loci between disjunct and core populations of the perennial, allohexaploid herb Geum triflorum. We sampled nine populations isolated on alvar habitat within the eastern Great Lakes region in North America, habitats that include disjunct populations of several plant species, and compared these to 16 populations sampled from prairie habitat throughout the core of the species’ distribution in midwestern Canada and the USA. Alvar populations exhibited much lower within‐population diversity and contained only a subset of alleles found in prairie populations. We detected isolation by distance across the species’ range and within alvar and prairie regions separately. As predicted, genetic differentiation was higher among alvar populations than among prairie populations, even after controlling for the geographic distance between sampled populations. Low diversity and high differentiation can be accounted for by the greater contemporary spatial isolation of alvar populations. However, the genetic structure of alvar populations may also have been influenced by postglacial range expansion and contraction. Our results are consistent with alvar populations being founded during an expansion of prairie habitat during the warmer, hypsithermal period ∼5000 bp and subsequently becoming stranded on isolated alvar habitat as the climate grew cooler and wetter.
Performance Contingencies in CEO Equity Awards and Debt Contracting

We find that firms that grant performance-contingent (p-c) equity awards with accounting-based vesting conditions to their CEOs have lower cost of debt and less restrictive loan terms. The benefits of p-c accounting-based awards on debt financing are greater when the moral hazard problem faced by debtholders is potentially more significant—for example, for firms with poorer credit ratings and lower asset tangibility. We find some evidence that certain types of p-c equity awards with stock price-based conditions increase the cost of debt financing. The adoption of p-c accounting-based awards increases firm value, as indicated by stock and bond event studies. Overall, our findings suggest that the incentive compatibility of accounting-based p-c awards mitigates the potential agency conflict between shareholders and debtholders. JEL Classifications: G32; G34; J33; M12; M52.
Agglomeration and FDI: Bringing International Production Linkages into the Picture

Abstract The attractiveness of a country for foreign direct investors stems from domestic factors but also from its interconnectedness with the global economy. While knowledge spillovers and domestic inter-industry linkages have been examined by the literature on FDI location, international linkages have been neglected due to data constraints. Using global input-output data, this paper investigates the role of backward and forward production linkages between countries for location choices of first-time greenfield FDI investors in the EU along with traditional agglomeration forces. In line with the literature it is found that firms tend to co-locate with other firms from the same country and industry. Most importantly, inter-industry linkages between the source and the host country emerge as an important attraction factor while the same does not hold for domestic inter-industry linkages.
Earnings Management and the Emergence of Profitability

In this paper we examine whether discretionary accruals help explain firms’ ability to sustain profitability after experiencing a prolonged series of quarterly losses. We posit that when firms approach profitability, they will use reserves to a greater extent in anticipation of reversing those reserves when the firm becomes profitable. We find results consistent with this behavior, specifically documenting that firms remaining profitable beyond the initial profitable quarter have a consistent pattern of income decreasing discretionary accruals in the preceding loss quarters. For these firms we also find consistently positive discretionary accruals in the quarters following initial profitability. The accrual behavior for firms sustaining profitability is in direct contrast to that of the firms unable to sustain. In the quarters preceding and including the initial reported profit, firms unable to sustain profitability use markedly higher income increasing discretionary accruals than firms sustaining profitability, a pattern that does not continue in future quarters as these firms again revert to a loss state. In our final analysis we document that past discretion relates inversely to future profitability, but only for those firms able to sustain profits. We interpret these findings as initial evidence toward discretionary accrual planning that extends beyond a single period.
How Do Social Interactions with a Significant Other Affect PTSD Symptoms? An Empirical Investigation with a Clinical Sample

Social support and coping are both related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, but the mechanisms underlying their relationships remain unclear. This study explores these relationships by examining the perceived frequency of supportive and countersupportive interactions with a significant other in PTSD patients. Ninety-six participants with PTSD were recruited and completed questionnaires assessing social interactions, ways of coping, and PTSD symptoms. Associations of social interactions (r2 = 4.1%–7.9%, p < .05) and coping (r2 = 15.9%–16.5%, p < .001) with symptoms were independent, and suggested a direct association between social interactions and PTSD. Countersupportive interactions were more associated to symptoms than supportive interactions. Our findings suggest the development of psychotherapies that integrate social support interventions.