Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Title: An empirical analysis on the curvilinear relationship between slack and firm performance

This study performs an in-depth analysis of the curvilinear relationship between slack and future firm performance. Using a sample of US firms, we analyze the influence of three indicators of absorbed and unabsorbed slack on the two commonest dimensions of firm performance: profitability and sales growth. Although the relationship between most slack variables and firm performance is curvilinear, the inflection points (for both maximums and minimums) lie mainly outside the distribution range of the slack variables and, consequently, the curvilinear relationships between slack and performance are, in fact, neither U-shaped nor inverted U-shaped. Therefore, the influence of slack on performance can be positive or negative: linear for certain variables, but concave/convex for most variables analyzed in our study. An additional important finding is that the influence of slack on future profitability is usually the opposite of its influence on future sales growth: negative and positive, respectively, for absorbed slack; positive and negative, respectively, for financial slack. Results are robust to different lagged periods of the independent variables. The effects of equity and cash slacks on future performance are mainly negative, especially for longer time periods.
A Comprehensive Model for Integrating Entrepreneurship Education and Capstone Projects while Exceeding ABET Requirements

Imagination, creativity, innovation, invention and venture--a sequence of professional development for 21 st century renaissance engineers and technical entrepreneurial business people, designed to give engineering and business students the skill sets to compete in our global economy with its ever-increasing rate of technical and financial change. A technical entrepreneurship minor started at Lehigh University in the Fall 2004 semester is now in full swing and available to all undergraduates, including all engineering and business students. The five-course program includes two final project courses, which students can take as a capstone experience. To date, several pilot teams have successfully completed the sequence, completed their undergraduate engineering requirements and used the capstone courses to develop products and undertake business planning for their start up technical ventures. In addition to the courses in the entrepreneurship minor, infrastructure is in place to support a Student Entrepreneurship Competition in which student teams can develop prototypes and their ideas into business plan proposals for several sources of possible seed funding. The infrastructure includes a mentoring entrepreneurs’ network of Lehigh alumni, an on-campus student-start-up incubator, and new early-stage follow-up funding. This paper will describe the integration of the capstone courses with the entrepreneurship minor and show examples of student start-up companies from Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, and Integrated Business and Engineering. The paper will explore how these companies started as part of the ABET-approved capstone design courses, which significantly exceed the minimum ABET requirement of a major design experience while working in a multidisciplinary team. This model is expanded to show how the plan can be applied to all engineering disciplines.
ACCEPTED AUTHOR VERSION OF THE MANUSCRIPT: Mining for the association of bovine mastitis linked genes to pathological signatures and Pathways

Background: Bovine mastitis is a common infectious disease with a serious threat to the dairy industry and public health. Mastitis is a polygenetic trait under the control of many genes. In the current study, our research attempted to address the role of mastitis-associated genes in various signalings including parasitic, viral, cancer and fungal diseases by using online bioinformatics software. Methods: We selected mastitis-associated genes from already published data and using online bioinformatics tools including DAVID and String classify the pathological role of relevant genes. A Venn diagram was used to show the status of overlapping genes among different biological function processes. Result: This study revealed that the genes gathered in published resources of mastitis were significantly correlated with Influenza A, Chagas disease, Leishmaniasis, Toxoplasmosis, Tuberculosis, Cancer signaling, Hepatitis B, Type I &II diabetes mellitus and Prion diseases biological pathways. Based on our findings, we concluded that mastitis-linked genes could be used as markers for many other diseases. Moreover, the Bioinformatics tools applied in the current study might be helpful in screening the genes involved in one disease and their association with other diseases as well.
Title: Discovering in vivo cytokine eQTL interactions from a lupus 1 clinical trial 2

: 43 Background: Cytokines are critical to human disease and are attractive therapeutic 44 targets given their widespread influence on gene regulation and transcription. Defining 45 the downstream regulatory mechanisms influenced by cytokines is central to defining 46 drug and disease mechanisms. One promising strategy is to use interactions between 47 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and cytokine levels to define target genes and 48 mechanisms. 49 Results: In a clinical trial for anti-IL-6 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus we 50 measured interferon (IFN) status, anti-IL-6 drug exposure and genome-wide gene 51 expression at three time points (379 samples from 157 individuals). First, we show that 52 repeat transcriptomic measurements increases the number of cis eQTLs identified 53 compared to using a single time point by 64%. Then, after identifying 4,818 cis-eQTLs, 54 we observed a statistically significant enrichment of in vivo eQTL interactions with IFN 55 status (p<0.001 by permutation) and anti-IL-6 drug exposure (p<0.001). We observed 56 210 and 72 interactions for IFN and anti-IL-6 respectively (FDR<20%). Anti-IL-6 57 interactions have not yet been described while 99 of the IFN interactions are novel. 58 Finally, we found transcription factor binding motifs interrupted by eQTL interaction 59 SNPs, pointing to key regulatory mediators of these environmental stimuli and therefore 60 potential therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases. In particular, genes with IFN 61 interactions are enriched for ISRE binding site motifs, while those with anti-IL-6 62 interactions are enriched for IRF4 motifs. 63 Conclusion: This study highlights the potential to exploit clinical trial data to discover in vivo eQTL interactions with therapeutically relevant environmental variables.
OPTIMIZATION OF THE FORCE CHARACTERISTIC OF ROTARY MOTION TYPE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTUATOR BASED ON FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

This paper addresses a rotary motion type of electromagnetic actuator that compares two types of electromagnetic actuators; i.e the Permanent Magnet Switching Flux (PMSF) and the Switching Reluctance (SR) actuator. The Permanent Magnet Switching Flux (PMSF) actuator is the combination of permanent magnets (PM) and the Switching Reluctance (SR) actuator. The force optimizations are accomplished by manipulating the actuator parameters; i.e. (i) the poles ratio of the stator and rotor; (ii) the actuator’s size; (iii) the number of winding turns; and (iv) the air gap thickness between the stator and rotor through Finite Element Analysis Method (FEM) using the ANSYS Maxwell 3D software. The materials implemented in the actuator’s parameters optimizations are readily available materials, especially in Malaysia. The excitation current used in FEM analysis for both actuators was between 0A and 2A with interval of 0.25A. Based on the FEM analyses, the best result was achieved by the Permanent Magnet Switching Flux (PMSF) actuator. The PMSF actuator produced the largest magnetostatic thrust force (4.36kN) once the size is scaled up to 100% with the input current, 2A respectively. The maximum thrust force generated by the Switching Reluctance (SR) actuator was 168. 85μN, which is significantly lower in compared to the results of the PMSF actuator.
New Civil Engineering Program Criteria: The Rest of the Story

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) organized the Civil Engineering Program Criteria Task Committee in October 2012 whose charge is to determine if the current ABET Civil Engineering Program Criteria (CEPC) should be changed to reflect one or more of the 24 outcomes of the second edition of the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge published in 2008. After two years of work, a proposed CEPC has been approved by the relevant ASCE committees and forwarded to ABET for approval and incorporation into accreditation criteria. A paper chronicling the committee’s efforts through a review of the literature, the committee’s methodology and process, and the key issues that emerged was presented at the 2014 ASEE Annual Conference in Indianapolis. This paper updates that effort by presenting the resulting proposed criteria, the changes generated by constituency feedback, progress on the Commentary, the existing gap between the proposed accreditation criteria and the current body of knowledge, and the future work of the committee.
RUNNING HEAD: PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS IN CHILDHOOD SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

Background : The cognitive theory of social anxiety disorder (SAD) suggests that adults with SAD have a tendency to anticipate poor social performance and reflect negatively on their performance following a social event. While a number of studies with socially anxious adults have supported the role of poor performance anticipation and post-event rumination in SAD, to date, only a few studies have addressed whether this also applies to children with SAD. Methods : Children (7-12 years) diagnosed with SAD (n=40), other anxious children (n=40) and non-anxious children (n=34) were exposed to a social stressor speech task and their pre-and post-performance appraisals assessed, taking into account objective performance ratings. Results : Although observers rated some aspects of performance as significantly worse among children with SAD than children with other anxiety disorders, children with SAD were not more likely than their anxious or non-anxious peers to show a general bias in pre- or post-performance appraisals. Furthermore, children with SAD were just as likely as their anxious and non-anxious peers to recognize good performance but were more critical of themselves when their performance was poor. Limitations : The speech task did not involve a same-age peer. Participants were relatively affluent group of predominantly non-minority status. Specificity for SAD in relation to other anxiety disorders remains unclear. Conclusions : Focusing on counteracting pre- and post-event social performance appraisals may potentially be inappropriate for childhood SAD. Children with SAD might benefit from interventions that focus on helping them to become less critical of themselves after social interactions not Spence children’s anxiety scale-social phobia subscale-parent report; SCAS-social-c = Spence children’s anxiety scale social phobia subscale-child report; SCAS-no social-p = Spence children’s anxiety scale excluding social phobia subscale-parent report; SCAS-no social-c = Spence children’s anxiety scale excluding social phobia subscale-child report; M = mean; SD = standard deviation; a and b denote groups that significantly differ on the basis of post-hoc analyses; ^ = When expected cell counts was very small we reported the value from the chi-square and the p-value from the Fisher’s exact test.
Development of a stationary chest tomosynthesis system using carbon nanotube x-ray source array

Jing Shan: Development of a stationary chest tomosynthesis system using carbon nanotube x-ray source array (Under the direction of Otto Zhou) X-ray imaging system has shown its usefulness for providing quick and easy access of imaging in both clinic settings and emergency situations. It greatly improves the workflow in hospitals. However, the conventional radiography systems, lacks 3D information in the images. The tissue overlapping issue in the 2D projection image result in low sensitivity and specificity. Both computed tomography and digital tomosynthesis, the two conventional 3D imaging modalities, requires a complex gantry to mechanically translate the x-ray source to various positions. Over the past decade, our research group has developed a carbon nanotube (CNT) based x-ray source technology. The CNT x-ray sources allows compacting multiple x-ray sources into a single x-ray tube. Each individual x-ray source in the source array can be electronically switched. This technology allows development of stationary tomographic imaging modalities without any complex mechanical gantries. The goal of this work is to develop a stationary digital chest tomosynthesis (s-DCT) system, and implement it for a clinical trial. The feasibility of s-DCT was investigated. It is found that the CNT source array can provide sufficient x-ray output for chest imaging. Phantom images have shown comparable image qualities as conventional DCT. The s-DBT system was then used to study the effects of source array configurations and tomosynthesis image quality, and the feasibility of a physiological gated s-DCT. Using physical measures for spatial resolution, the 2D source configuration was shown to have improved depth resolution and comparable in-plane resolution. The prospective gated tomosynthesis images have shown substantially reduction of image blur associated with lung motions. The system was also used to investigate the
localization alternatively spliced leptin receptors (Ob-R) in mouse

Mouse models of obesity ( ob / ob ) and diabetes ( db / db ) in which the leptin ( Lep ) and Leptin 23 receptor ( Lepr ) genes have been mutated, respectively, have contributed to a better 24 understanding of human obesity and type 2 diabetes and to the prevention, diagnosis, and 25 treatment of these metabolic diseases. In this study, we report the first CRISPR-Cas9-induced 26 Lep and Lepr KO mouse models by co-microinjection of Cas9 mRNA and sgRNAs that 27 specifically targeted Lep or Lepr in C57BL/6J embryos. Our newly established Lep and Lepr 28 knockout (KO) mouse models showed phenotypic disorders nearly identical to those found in 29 ob / ob and db / db mice, such as an increase in body weight, hyperglycemia, and hepatic 30 steatosis. Thus, Cas9-generated Lep and Lepr KO mouse lines will be easier for genotyping, 31 to maintain the lines, and to use for future obesity and diabetes research.
A review of the design and performance characteristics of a horizontal wind turbine 2 using numerical methods

: Renewable energy technologies are receiving much attention to replacing power plants 11 operated by fossil and nuclear fuels. Amongst the renewable technologies, wind power was 12 successfully implemented in several countries. There a number of parameters in the aerodynamic 13 characteristics and design of the horizontal wind turbine. This paper highlights the key sensitive 14 parameters that affect the aerodynamic performance of the horizontal wind turbine, such as 15 environmental conditions, blade shape, airfoil configuration and tip speed ratio. Furthermore, this 16 paper introduces the recent control system used for the horizontal wind turbine. Different 17 turbulence models applied to predict the flow around the horizontal wind turbine using 18 Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling are reviewed. Finally, the challenges and conclusion 19 remarks for research directions in the design of the wind turbine are elaborated.
The rpoD1 gene of Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 the principal sigma factor of RNA polymerase encodes

RNA polymerase was purified from the unicellular cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942, and found to be associated with a 52 kilodalton (kDa) polypeptide. The determined N-terminal sequence of the polypeptide was identical to the predicted amino-acid sequence of the rpoD1 gene product. Furthermore, the rpoD1 gene is suggested to be indispensable for viability by the inability to disrupt the gene. These results indicate that the rpoD1 gene product is the principal sigma factor of RNA polymerase.
Short communication. A study of the Greek trade deficit in forest products. Current conditions and prospects

The forest products trade deficit in Greece is a characteristic of the national forest sector over time. Greek imports of forest products are more than exports in order to cover domestic consumption. However, since its accession to the EU in 2001 Greece has not exploited all the advantages provided by the euro. The deficit in Greece has continued to increase because of growing imports, while average Europe countries have converted this to a surplus. Greece should aim to reduce this trend by decreasing imports, increasing exports or both. The present paper describes this deficit over time and proposes a forecasting model that could reduce the deficit using three possible scenarios. The model’s theo retical and practical contribution is that policymakers can use it as tool to calculate the future forest products deficit. El déficit siguió aumentando por causa de las importaciones para cubrir el consumo interno, cuando la media europea lo convertía en superávit. El objetivo principal del país es lograr presentar las tendencias decrecientes del déficit con la disminución de las importaciones y el aumento de las exportaciones o ambas cosas. En el documento se presenta el mencionado déficit a lo largo de los años y un modelo de previsión que podría reducir el déficit en el futuro, a partir de tres posibles escenarios. Los responsables políticos pueden utilizar el modelo de con tribución teórica y práctica como herramienta para calcular el déficit de productos forestales futuros. Palabras clave: déficit; madera griega; previsiones; sector forestal.
Ion channel formation by synthetic analogues of staphylococcal 6-toxin

Ion channel formation by three analogues of staphylococcal 6-toxin, an amphipathic and a-helical channel-forming peptide, has been evaluated by measurement of ionic currents across planar lipid bilayers. Replacement of/3-branched, hydrophobic residues by leucine and movement of a tryptophan residue from the hydrophilic to the hydrophobic face of the helix does not significantly alter ion channel activity. Removal of the N-terminal blocking group combined with the substitution of glycine-10 by leucine changes the single channel properties of tS-toxin, without altering macroscopic conductance/voltage behaviour. Truncation of the N-terminus by three residues results in complete loss of channel-forming activity. These changes in channel-forming properties upon altering the peptide sequence do not mirror changes in haemolytic activity. The results lend support to the proposal that channel formation and haemolysis are distinct events. Channel properties are discussed in the context of a model in which the pore is formed by a bundle of approximately parallel transbilayer helices.
Facilitating Knowledge Transfer and the Achievement of Competitive Advantage with Corporate Universities: An Exploratory Model Based on Media Richness and Type of Knowledge to be Transferred

The knowledge literature suggests that transferring knowledge leads to synergistic cost advantages, better implementation of organizational strategies, and competitive advantage. Organizations are implementing corporate universities to aid in knowledge transfer. There is no standardized definition for corporate universities, but rather models that allow organizations to customize them to meet their training needs. Building on recent work of managing the knowledge transfer process (Murray & Peyrefitte, 2007) and on seminal work on media richness theory (Daft & Lengel, 1986), the authors propose that the type of knowledge to be transferred, and the appropriate media to transfer that knowledge, determine the most beneficial generation of corporate university to achieve competitive advantage. The chapter presents a model and propositions concerning relationships between the type of knowledge to be transferred, appropriate media selection, and generation of corporate university to implement.
Impact of Anti-Endothelial Cell Antibodies (AECAs) in Patients with Polycythemia Vera and Thrombosis

Polycythemia vera (PV) causes thrombosis. Erythrocytosis and cell adhesiveness are responsible for thrombosis. JAK2V617F causes inflammation and autoimmunity; however, whether or not autoimmunity or inflammation causes thrombosis has yet to be proven. In 60 PV patients, we analyzed JAK2V671F and its allele burden, autoimmune Th17 cells, interleukin-17 (IL-17), anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECAs), endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag). Fifty blood donors were used as the controls. All patients were on phlebotomy-maintaining hematocrit <45% and aspirin. Of the 60 patients, 40 had thrombosis. Those patients with thrombosis had a higher JAK2V617F allele burden than those without thrombosis, andTh17 cells and IL-17 were also higher in patients with thrombosis. Interestingly, we observed a high AECA IgG ELISA ratio (ER) in patients with thrombosis, which was normal in patients without thrombosis. We found high ELAM-1 and ICAM-1 as well as high VWF:Ag in patients with thrombosis compared to patients without thrombosis. AECA-positive sera from patients with thrombosis showed enhanced binding to cytokine-treated HUVEC and a positive antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, suggesting that AECA may contribute to vascular injury. A positive correlation between AECAs, allele burden, and thrombosis was found. These results suggest that autoimmunity may be an additional mechanism in PV thrombogenesis.
SCN1A Variants as the Underlying Cause of Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus in Two Multi-Generational Colombian Families

Genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) is an autosomal dominant disorder with febrile or afebrile seizures that exhibits phenotypic variability. Only a few variants in SCN1A have been previously characterized for GEFS+, in Latin American populations where studies on the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of GEFS+ are scarce. We evaluated members in two multi-generational Colombian Paisa families whose affected members present with classic GEFS+. Exome and Sanger sequencing were used to detect the causal variants in these families. In each of these families, we identified variants in SCN1A causing GEFS+ with incomplete penetrance. In Family 047, we identified a heterozygous variant (c.3530C > G; p.(Pro1177Arg)) that segregates with GEFS+ in 15 affected individuals. In Family 167, we identified a previously unreported variant (c.725A > G; p.(Gln242Arg)) that segregates with the disease in a family with four affected members. Both variants are located in a cytoplasmic loop region in SCN1A and based on our findings the variants are classified as pathogenic and likely pathogenic, respectively. Our results expand the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum associated with SCN1A variants and will aid in improving molecular diagnostics and counseling in Latin American and other populations.