Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autonomous microfluidics realized with active hydrophobic valves

Sophisticated microfluidic systems were realized using simple valves based on switching from a hydrophobic state to a hydrophilic state. The valve consisted of a hydrophobic self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formed on a platinum electrode in a poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) flow channel. The valve could stop a solution moving by capillary action. The solution passed through the valve following reductive desorption of the SAM when an appropriate potential was applied to the electrode. The same switching could also be implemented by changing the mixed potential by wetting a zinc electrode in a controlling flow channel connected to the valve electrode.
Fighting for Funds: An Exploratory Study into the Field of Crowdfunding

Thesis Purpose: This thesis investigates users of crowdfunding platforms in order to further the insight into understanding what affects their motives and behaviour. The relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as well as peer influence is investigated. Theoretical Perspective: This study is grounded on the limited theories surrounding crowdfunding and crowdsourcing, as well as relevant theories in the neighbouring fields of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, investment decision-making, early stage-investment, informal investing, informal venture capitalists, online collaboration, and business angels. Methodology: Exploration of the predicted relationships was tested in a quantitative cross-sectional design. Data was gathered by means of a web-based Likert scale questionnaire, which was distributed to crowdfunders primarily by crowdfunding platform administrators, and through the use of Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter. Analysis: This study relies on quantitative data analysis. As part of this analysis, the authors made use of correlation, regression and factor analyses in order to find patterns in the data that resemble and contradict findings in the theoretical framework. Conclusions: The findings confirm that: there are two major groups of individuals that crowdfund; more people engage for intrinsic reasons than might be expected; frequency and amount are reflected in motivational reasons for engagement; age does influence funding behaviours; and crowdfunders share similarities and differences with individuals in related fields.
Cointegration and Price Discovery between Equity and Mortgage REITs

This study analyzes the relationship between equity and mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) stock prices by performing cointegration tests and causality tests, and estimating an error correction model. Evidence is found that a stable long-run linear relationship exists based on their common reactions to changes in market returns, interest rates and other additional factors. Geweke causality test results indicate a causal relationship running from EREIT stock prices to MREIT stock prices. This may reflect the quicker response of equity REIT stock prices to changes including real estate returns. In addition, the results suggest overall linear dependence (total linear causality) and instantaneous linear feedback between changes in EREIT and MREIT stock prices. The results of the error correction model not only indicate a significant increase in the explanatory power of the model compared with the vector autoregression model but also reveals how the price discovery processes in REIT security markets maintain long-run equilibrium.
Personalization of a compartmental physiological model for an artificial pancreas through integration of patient's state estimation

Artificial Pancreas (AP) are developed for patients with Type 1 diabetes. This medical device system consists in the association of a subcutaneous continuous glucose monitor (CGM) providing a proxy of the patient's glycaemia and a control algorithm offering the real-time modification of the insulin delivery with an automatic command of the subcutaneous insulin pump. The most complex algorithms are based on a compartmental model of the glucoregulatory system of the patient coupled to an approach of MPC (Model-Predictive-Control) for the command. The automatic and unsupervised control of insulin regulation constitutes a major challenge in AP projects. A given model with its parameterization on the shelf will not directly represent the patient's data behavior and the personalization of the model is a prerequisite before using it in a MPC. The present paper focuses on the personalization of a compartmental showing a method where taking into account the estimation of the patient's state in addition to the parameter estimation improves the results in terms of mean quadratic error.
The Deming leadership method: A behavioural and technical approach

Provides an explanation of Deming’s Theory of Profound Knowledge, which includes the four core values. Cites these as appreciation for a system, some knowledge of the theory of variation, a theory of knowledge and some knowledge of psychology. Defines leadership and the actions required to implement the Deming leadership method. Argues this implementation will clear most barriers which exist when starting any total quality management programme and will allow managers/supervisors to acquire enough knowledge to make the transformation from supervisory management to leadership excellence. States that only through applying the Deming principles first will any future improvement be successful.
Ecotourism and natural resource conservation: the ‘potential’ for a sustainable symbiotic relationship

While the tourism industry and environmentalists may traditionally be strange bedfellows, the increasing conversion of land away from its natural state into unsustainable uses may result in the two becoming allies in the fight to protect remaining natural landscapes. This partnership is presented around a proposed sustainable symbiotic relationship between natural resource conservation and the competitiveness of ecotourism destinations. Under this symbiotic relationship, ecotourism destinations benefit in the form of enhanced competitiveness from the protection of quality natural resources while the conservation of natural resources is increasingly valued because these resources are realised as the foundation of the ecotourism industry and the driver of all economic benefits associated with ecotourism. This conceptual paper reviews this relationship and graphically depicts the symbiotic relationship, including the many tangential sustainable outcomes of biodiversity, flood control, water quality, carbon sequestration, and cultural heritage conservation that stem from the increased incentives ecotourism brings to natural resource conservation. The proposed symbiotic relationship between ecotourism and natural resource conservation specifically answers Shellenberger and Nordhaus' (2005) call to increasingly frame environmental issues using strong economic messages if public opinion is to be swayed towards conservation in this present political climate.
Marketing information systems in tourism and hospitality small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises: a study of Internet use for market intelligence

This study investigates the nature of marketing information systems (MkIS) within small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and focuses on the importance of external information and market intelligence. The sources of market intelligence are investigated with particular emphasis on understanding the usefulness of the Internet for external information gathering. The empirical research to support the study uses survey methods to investigate marketing information systems, market intelligence and Internet use within hospitality and tourism SMEs in the Yorkshire and Humber region. The findings indicate that SMEs in this sector make use of informal marketing information systems which mainly concentrate on internal and immediate operating environment data. Important wider market intelligence is underutilised owing mainly to the resource constraints of these smaller businesses. The Internet has not yet been recognised as an important source for market intelligence despite having the benefits of providing much of the necessary data more quickly and at a lower cost than many other sources. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular dynamics simulation of hen egg white lysozyme: A test of the GROMOS96 force field against nuclear magnetic resonance data

Biomolecular force fields for use in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of proteins, DNA, or membranes are generally parametrized against ab initio quantum‐chemical and experimental data for small molecules. The application of a force field in a simulation of a biomolecular system, such as a protein in solution, may then serve as a test of the quality and transferability of the force field. Here, we compare various properties obtained from two MD simulations of the protein hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) in aqueous solution using the latest version, GROMOS96, of the GROMOS force field and an earlier version, GROMOS87+, with data derived from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments: NOE atom–atom distance bounds, 3JHNα‐coupling constants, and backbone and side‐chain order parameters.
Epinephrine Injection in Greater Palatine Canal: An Alternative Technique for Reducing Hemorrhage During Septoplasty

Objective: Obtaining adequate hemostasis during otolaryngology operations is necessary because a small amount of blood can be problematic and obscure the visual field. The authors aimed to compare the efficacy of combined greater palatine canal (GPC) and transnasal injection of lidocaine + epinephrine to transnasal injection alone in patients who underwent septoplasty. Methods: Patients with nasal septum deviation who were eligible for surgical correction of deviations were enrolled. Transnasal injections of 2 mL of 1% lidocaine + epinephrine 1:100,000 were performed in both groups and for patients in the combination group the same solution was also injected in the GPC. Objective (amount of suctioned blood) and subjective (intraoperative bleeding score) assessments were done during operation. Close hemodynamic monitoring was performed for all patients. Results: A total of 50 patients were enrolled and randomly allocated to study groups. No significant differences were observed in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure of study subjects between 2 groups. The amount of bleeding in patients who received GPC injection and their counterparts in the other arm of the trial were 34.64 ± 26.66 and 100.48 ± 20.90 mL, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean intraoperative bleeding score in combination group was 0.79 ± 0.42 and significantly lower than the corresponding figure in monotherapy group, which was 1.75 ± 0.41 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on the findings of the current study, the authors suggest that combined GPC and transnasal injection of lidocaine and epinephrine is a safe and effective method for reducing bleeding during septoplasty.
Erkennung von Sequenzen mimischer Schmerzausdrücke durch genetische Programmierung

Aus empirisch erhobenen Videos von Gesichtern, die Schmerzmimik zeigen, werden über Abfolgen von Action Units (AUs) reguläre Ausdrücke generalisiert, um für Schmerz charakteristische Sequenzen von Bewegungen im Gesicht zu identifizieren. Für die Generierung regulärer Ausdrücke über AU-Sequenzen wurde ein genetischer Algorithmus implementiert. Als Datenstruktur werden Syntaxbäume regulärer Ausdrücke verwendet. Die Individuen sind Grammatiken, die die in den Trainingsdaten gegebenen Sequenzen erkennen können. Die resultierende Präzision der Grammatiken bewegt sich zwischen ca. 80–100%. Problem bei der Optimierung des Verfahrens ist die Justierung der zahlreichen Mutationsparameter. Zudem erschwert das Fehlen von negativen Trainingsdaten eine Evaluation der gelernten Ausdrücke.
Generations at work: are there differences and do they matter?

In recent years, there has been, particularly among human resource management practitioners, a view that important inter-generational differences exist among workers and that these differences provide challenges to managers in effectively managing their workforce. While such views have been challenged, academic research into inter-generational differences and its effects has been limited. Our paper seeks to fill this vacuum by addressing the question as to whether there are differences between generations in their orientations and attitudes to work. This paper explores the differences in job satisfaction, organizational commitment and the willingness to quit of two groups of workers; the Baby Boomers and Generation X. Using a large-scale survey of employees of a large public sector research organization, we find that the Boomers do have higher job satisfaction and a lower willingness to quit than their Generation X colleagues. We also find that there are some important differences in the antecedents of these variables between the two groups. This paper concludes by considering the implications of the findings for management practice and theory.
Balanced Scorecard And The Management Intruments Complementarity

The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) presents the quantitative goals selected from multiple perspectives for implementing the organizational strategy and vision. This article considers how Total Quality Management, Activity Based Management (ABM), Customer Value Analysis, EVA and Budgets approaches may complement a balanced scorecard effort. It briefly outlines how this tools are defined, considers their strengths and weaknesses. The paper concludes that when other tools used in conjunction with BSC approach, the resulting hybrid tool can be a powerful basis for encouraging organizational change and performance improvement.
Statistics of divergence times.

Given the number of nucleotide substitutions between two species (K) and the substitution rate nu, the expectation of the corresponding divergence time is usually calculated as K/(2 nu). This is strictly true only if nu is regarded as a constant because the ratio of two random variables, such as K/(2 nu), has distributional properties different from those of the distribution of K. Therefore, both the mean and any confidence interval for divergence times are unknown in this situation. We model the distribution of K and nu using the Gamma distribution and calculate the mean and 95% confidence interval for the corresponding divergence time. These calculations are compared with results obtained by bootstrapping sequence data from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and its relatives. We show that for nonoverlapping pairs of phylogenetic distances, our method approaches the bootstrap results very closely. In contrast, regarding the mutation rate as a constant leads to strong underestimation of the confidence interval. An implementation of our method of computing divergence times is accessible through a web interface at http://www.soft. ice.mpg. de/cite.
Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza echinata — Sources of Low Hemotoxic Saponins

1 Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, “V. Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara 2 Department of Biochemistry, “V. Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara 3 Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, “V. Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara 4 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “V. Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara
Investigation of calmodulin and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in idiopathic myelofibrosis: evidence for a role of extracellular calmodulin in fibroblast proliferation

The urinary concentration of calmodulin and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was determined in a total of 53 patients with various chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD), including 22 patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF). Calmodulin excretion was significantly elevated in IMF (0.29 ± 0.04 μg/mmol creatinine) (P<0.001), when compared to polycythaemia vera (PV) (0.14 ± 0.02), essential thrombocythaemia (ET) (0.13 ± 0.04), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) (0.16 ± 0.02), unclassified myeloproliferative disorders (UMPD) (0.11 ± 0.02) and age‐matched controls (0.1 ± 0.02) (P<0.001). In contrast, bFGF was slightly elevated in all CMPD conditions when compared to age‐matched controls. A neutralizing antibody to calmodulin was demonstrated to significantly influence the in vitro proliferation of normal human fibroblasts, an effect dependent on both cell density and the presence of fetal calf serum (FCS). Essentially, the antibody reduced FCS‐induced proliferation of low‐density fibroblasts but had little or no inhibitory effect on high‐density fibroblasts in the absence of FCS. In addition, extracellular calmodulin was shown not to interact with known fibroblast mitogens, namely IFG‐1, EGF, bFGF and PDGF. We conclude that extracellular calmodulin should be considered, in addition to PDGF, TFG‐β and EGF, as a potential mitogen involved in the stromal reaction of idiopathic myelofibrosis.
Trophic factors attenuate nitric oxide mediated neuronal and axonal injury in vitro: roles and interactions of mitogen‐activated protein kinase signalling pathways

Inflammation in the central nervous system occurs in diseases such as multiple sclerosis and leads to axon dysfunction and destruction. Both in vitro and in vivo observations have suggested an important role for nitric oxide (NO) in mediating inflammatory axonopathy. The purposes of this study were to model inflammatory axonopathy in vitro and identify modulators of the process. Rat cortical neurones were cultured and exposed to an NO‐donor plus potential protective factors. Cultures were then assessed for neuronal survival, axon survival and markers of intracellular signalling pathways. The NO‐donor produced dose‐dependent neuronal loss and a large degree of axon destruction. Oligodendrocyte conditioned medium (OCM) and insulin‐like growth factor type‐1 (IGF‐1), but not glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), improved survival of neurones exposed to NO donors. In addition p38 MAP kinase was activated by NO exposure and inhibition of p38 signalling led to neuronal and axonal survival effects. OCM and IGF‐1 (but not GDNF) reduced p38 activation in NO‐exposed cortical neurones. OCM, IGF‐1 and GDNF improved axon survival in cultures exposed to NO, a process dependent on mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal‐related kinase signalling. This study emphasizes that different mechanisms may underlie neuronal/axonal destructive processes, and suggests that trophic factors may modulate NO‐mediated neurone/axon destruction via specific pathways.
Human Papillomavirus Type-Distribution in Vulvar and Vaginal Cancers and Their Associated Precursors

OBJECTIVE: Data on human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in vulvar and vaginal cancers are limited. These data are important to predict the potential future effect of prophylactic HPV vaccines. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of HPV type distribution in vulvar and vaginal invasive carcinomas, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search was conducted using the terms vulvar/vaginal cancer, intraepithelial neoplasia, and HPV/human papillomavirus through September 2007 with no specified start date or language restrictions. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: A total of 725 abstracts (564 vulvar, 161 vaginal) were reviewed, of which 67 studies (56 vulvar, 11 vaginal) met the inclusion criteria of using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or hybrid capture assays for HPV DNA detection and having more than one case with HPV data available. TABULATION, INTEGRATION AND RESULTS: This review identified 2,790 vulvar (1,379 invasive, 1,340 VIN2/3, 71 VIN1) and 315 vaginal cases (83 invasive, 166 vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3, 66 vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia 1). Most cases were from North America and Europe (87.2%), with few from Asia (5.5%) and South America (7.3%). Human papillomavirus prevalence in vulvar cancer, VIN2/3, and VIN1 was 40.1%, 80.4%, and 77.5%, respectively. HPV prevalence in vaginal cancer, vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN)2/3, and VAIN1 was relatively higher at 65.5%, 92.6%, and 98.5%, respectively. HPV16 was the most common type in vulvar (29.3%) and vaginal (55.4%) cancers, VIN2/3 (71.2%) and VAIN2/3 (65.8%). CONCLUSION: Human papillomavirus prevalence was higher among vaginal than vulvar cases, and HPV16 accounted for most HPV-positive cases for both cancers. Although the potential effect of HPV vaccines on these gynecologic cancers may not be as high as for cervical cancer due to their more diverse causes, vaccinating young women against HPV16/18 may help to reduce the incidence of HPV-related cases.
Phosphorylation regulates VCIP135 function in Golgi membrane fusion during the cell cycle

ABSTRACT The Golgi apparatus in mammalian cells consists of stacks that are often laterally linked into a ribbon-like structure. During cell division, the Golgi disassembles into tubulovesicular structures in the early stages of mitosis and reforms in the two daughter cells by the end of mitosis. Valosin-containing protein p97–p47 complex-interacting protein, p135 (VCIP135), an essential factor involved in p97-mediated membrane fusion pathways, is required for postmitotic Golgi cisternae regrowth and Golgi structure maintenance in interphase. However, how VCIP135 function is regulated in the cell cycle remains unclear. Here, we report that VCIP135 depletion by RNA interference results in Golgi fragmentation. VCIP135 function requires membrane association and p97 interaction, both of which are inhibited in mitosis by VCIP135 phosphorylation. We found that wild-type VCIP135, but not its phosphomimetic mutants, rescues Golgi structure in VCIP135-depleted cells. Our results demonstrate that VCIP135 phosphorylation regulates its Golgi membrane association and p97 interaction, and thus contributes to the tight control of the Golgi disassembly and reassembly process during the cell cycle.
Generational Status and Mexican American Political Participation: The Benefits and Limitations of Assimilation

The authors investigate self-reported voter turnout and ethnic political activity across four-plus generations of Mexican Americans. Using a 1999 national survey, multivariate results indicate that the likelihood of Mexican American voting increases largely in a monotonic manner across generations while participation in ethnic political activity begins to decline after having one parent born in the United States. These results raise the question of whether disadvantaged ethnic populations necessarily benefit politically from assimilating given that gains in voting that accrue across generations are accompanied by declines in ethnic political activity among later generations.
Forecasting with a repeat purchase diffusion model

A methodology for forecasting the sales of an ethical drug as a function of marketing effort before any sales data are available and for updating the forecast with a few periods of sales data is presented. Physicians' perceptions of the drug on a number of attributes, e.g. effectiveness, range of ailments for which appropriate, frequency of prescriptions, are used to estimate the parameters of a model originally proposed by Lilien, Rao and Kalish Lilien, G. L. , A. G. Rao, S. Kalish. 1981. Bayesian estimation and control of detailing effort in a repeat purchase diffusion environment. Management Sci.27May 493-506. This model conceptualizes the drug adoption process as a repeat purchase diffusion model; sales are expressed as a function of a drug's own and competitive marketing efforts and of word of mouth. The model is first validated in this paper via predictive testing on 19 drugs prescribed by three types of physicians. The forecasting methodology is illustrated using physicians' perceptions on these drugs. Forecasts obtained without any sales data, and updated forecasts using seven periods of sales data are presented, and are encouraging.