Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prime factors of Vendor Selection for Indian Telecom Service Provider for effective SCM:A Factor Analysis using Centroid Method

To have a effective supply chain it is very much essential to have effective and reliable vendor. It is far more important in case of a service sector. As service is intangible and can only be felt ;hence very much depends on the quality of delivery and after sales activity. Ineffective and unreliable vendor can have a cascading effect in all aspect of service chain resulting customer dissatisfaction. The present study tries to find out the parameter or quality of a vendor that is preferred by telecommunication companies. As telecommunication is a infrastructure service any weak link in the supply chain will have a catastrophic impact on the end user. As vendor is one of the prime component of supply chain its careful selection is of immense importance. There are numerous variables to select a vendor. But to have a quick and effective decisions making these numerous variables are reduced to few factors. In this study the centroid method of factor analysis is used to find four important factors. The study was carried out by interacting executives of around 8 telecom companies amounting to 57 effective data. A broad outline of factors and encompassing variables under each factor were depicted.
Provision of financial transmission rights

This paper studies the credit risks faced by the providers of financial transmission rights (FTR). The introduction of FTRs in different systems in the USA must be viewed in relationship to the organization of the market. Often, private players own the central grid, while an independent system operator (ISO) operates the grid. The revenues from transmission congestion collected in the day-ahead and balancing markets should give the ISO sufficient revenues to cover the costs associated with providing FTRs. This can be ensured if the issued FTRs fulfill the simultaneous feasibility test described by Hogan. We study this test on a three-node network under different assumptions and find the maximum volumes which can be sold, including contingency constraints. Next we analyze the feasibility test when taking into account the FTR prices, and demonstrate that a higher volume might be issued. We introduce uncertainty under different scenarios for locational prices and calculate the maximum provided volumes. As a tool for risk management the provider of the FTRs can use the value at risk approach. Finally we discuss provision of FTRs by private parties.
Corneal Densitometry as a Tool to Measure Epithelial Ingrowth After Laser In Situ Keratomileusis

Purpose: This study evaluates the correlation between corneal densitometry and epithelial ingrowth (EI) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Methods: Corneal densitometry of 3 patients who developed EI after LASIK was measured with the Oculus Pentacam. Corneal densitometry readings of each patient were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively after ingrowth was discovered. Densitometry was recorded at the central nest of opacity and at the leading edges of EI. Results: For all patients, the most severe stages of EI observed on slit-lamp photographs correlated with the highest densitometry readings, with peak densitometry ranging from 73.3 to 95.1. These values were much higher than preoperative densitometry readings, which ranged from 21.8 to 27.2. In 2 cases, the Pentacam densitometry map revealed progression of EI toward the visual axis that was only faintly detectable or not detectable at all on the corresponding slit-lamp photographs. Conclusions: Corneal densitometry seems to be an objective measure of the severity and progression of EI after LASIK.
DEA Governance Efficiency Frontier and Credit Rating

The purpose of our study is to test whether corporate governance efficiency may influence the credit rating of the firm. Using Data envelopment analysis (DEA), we construct a score of corporate governance efficiency. We are based on a sample of 571 American firms rated by Standard and Poor’s over the period 1995-2007. Our results show that high corporate governance efficiency improves credit rating. Hence, we find that corporate governance efficiency is a criterion in the credit rating process.
Genetic algorithms in the design of complex distribution networks

Reviews the value of network concepts as a means of portraying complex logistics and distribution systems. Reports on research which focuses on the broader issues of model formulation and solution techniques rather than specific applications. Addresses the issues of designing networks with a tree structure, and also more general ones in which loops are allowed and redundancy enforced. The decision variables involved are related to whether or not a link should exist between two specific pairs of nodes, and then what should be the level of traffic flow on that particular link. Describes the design problem in detail and possible models that could be used to represent it. Follows with a description of genetic algorithms to solve the synthesis problem of deciding the node‐link topology, and the use of linear and non‐linear programming to solve the problem of assigning traffic flow to a network with a given typology in a least‐cost manner. Concludes with a description of computational experience with solving such problems.
Regulation of TLR4 signaling and the host interface with pathogens and danger: the role of RP105

As all immune responses have potential for damaging the host, tight regulation of such responses—in amplitude, space, time and character—is essential for maintaining health and homeostasis. It was thus inevitable that the initial wave of papers on the role of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), NOD‐like receptors (NLRs) and RIG‐I‐like receptors (RLRs) in activating innate and adaptive immune responses would be followed by a second wave of reports focusing on the mechanisms responsible for restraining and modulating signaling by these receptors. This overview outlines current knowledge and controversies about the immunobiology of the RP105/MD‐1 complex, a modulator of the most robustly signaling TLR, TLR4.
Higher 25(OH)D2 is associated with lower 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3.

CONTEXT Despite common use of supplemental vitamin D2 in clinical practice, the associations of serum vitamin D2 concentrations with other vitamin D metabolites and total vitamin D are unclear. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to measure vitamin D2 and D3 levels and examine their associations with each other and with total vitamin D. DESIGN We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 679 randomly selected participants from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D2 [25(OH)D2], 25(OH)D3, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 [1,25(OH)2D2], and 1,25(OH)2D3 were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and were summed to obtain total 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D. Associations between all metabolites (D2, D3, and total levels) were examined using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and Spearman correlations. RESULTS 25(OH)D2 and 1,25(OH)2D2 were detectable in 189 (27.8%) and 178 (26.2%) of the men, respectively. Higher 25(OH)D2 levels did not correlate with higher total 25(OH)D (r = 0.10; P = .17), although median total 25(OH)D was slightly higher in those with detectable vs undetectable 25(OH)D2 (25.8 vs 24.3 ng/mL; P < .001). 25(OH)D2 was not positively associated with total 1,25(OH)2D levels (r = -0.11; P = .13), and median 1,25(OH)2D level was not higher in those with detectable vs undetectable 25(OH)D2. Higher 25(OH)D2 was associated with lower 25(OH)D3 (r = -0.35; P < .001) and 1,25(OH)2D3 (r = -0.32; P < .001), with median levels of both D3 metabolites 18-35% higher when D2 metabolites were undetectable. CONCLUSIONS In a cohort of older men, 25(OH)D2 is associated with lower levels of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3, suggesting that vitamin D2 may decrease the availability of D3 and may not increase calcitriol levels.
A new mechanism for saturating unstable r modes in neutron stars

We consider a new mechanism for damping the oscillations of a mature neutron star. The new dissipation channel arises if superfluid vortices are forced to cut through superconducting flux tubes. This mechanism is interesting because the oscillation modes need to exceed a critical amplitude in order for it to operate. Once it acts, the effect is very strong (and non-linear) leading to efficient damping. The upshot of this is that modes are unlikely to ever evolve far beyond the critical amplitude. We consider the effect of this new dissipation channel on the r modes, which may be driven unstable by the emission of gravitational waves. Our estimates show that the flux tube cutting leads to a saturation threshold for the instability that can be smaller than that of other proposed mechanisms. This suggests that the idea may be of direct astrophysical relevance.
Skills and Wages of Public Employees: Investigating Korean Bureaucracy Through PIAAC

Korea’s public employees have made significant contributions to the country’s rapid economic growth and social development. In recent years, however, there has been growing concern that the competitiveness of Korea’s public employees is lagging behind Korea’s private sector employees as well as the public employees of other countries. This paper uses the OECD PIAAC (Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies) data to empirically analyze Korean public employees’ skill level, skill-use, and learning, with emphasis on comparison with public employees of OECD countries and the domestic private sector. Also, we analyze the skill-wage gap and the returns to skills of public employees to observe whether the wage system of public employees provides sufficient incentives for human capital investment.
Fabrication of functional liver tissues by cell sheet-based bioassembler technologies

Hepatocyte-based tissue engineering is an attractive method for the treatment of liver diseases. However, hepatocytes rapidly lose their viability and phenotypic functions on isolation from the native in vivo microenvironment of the liver. To overcome these problems, our laboratory has designed new types of thermoresponsive cell culture surfaces for advancing the next stage of cell sheet-based tissue engineering. One approach is to resemble the microstructures of native tissues and organs. Most in vivo tissues and organs have their own unique structures, such as multi-cellular, micrometer-scale organizations. Micropatterned thermoresponsive surfaces were designed to enable both the culturing and recovery of patterned heterotypic cell sheets. Another approach is to use extracellular matrices (ECMs), which resemble the surrounding environments of in vivo native tissues. Heparin-functionalized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm)-grafted cell culture surface, which interacts with heparin-binding proteins such as heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), has been designed for maintaining hepatic functions during the cultivation. The function of hepatic cell sheet was maintained by using these new types of thermoresponsive cell culture surfaces.
Methodological considerations in the calculation of the rate of force development scaling factor

Objective: Within this methodological study, we aimed to explore the effects of seven different commonly applied routines for rate of force development (RFD) calculation on the calculation of rate of force development scaling factor (RFD-SF) and r2 and the between session reliability of RFD-SF in three different muscle groups. Approach: We tested grip force muscles, elbow extensors and knee extensors of 13 healthy subjects asking them to produce around 120 rapid isometric force pulses per muscle to varying submaximal amplitudes. Then, we applied different filtering and analysis procedures, such as different filtering cut-off frequencies (no filter, 5 Hz cut-off, 10 Hz cut-off) and time windows during which RFD was calculated (0–50 ms, 0–75 ms, 0–100 ms and time from onset of contraction to peak force (PF) value). RFD-SF and r2 were obtained from the relationship between the PF and the corresponding RFD. Results: Our results showed that the magnitude of the calculated RFD-SF and r2 values significantly differed among different RFD calculation methods (p < 0.0005), but that r2 was high in most applied methods (RFD-SF ranged between 4.6 and 17.7, while r2 ranged between 0.63 and 0.98). Regardless of the tested muscle group and applied method to calculate RFD, the reliability of the calculated RFD-SF was moderate (0.5 < ICC3,1 < 0.75) to good (ICC3,1 > 0.75). The highest r2, highest ICC, lowest SEM% and MDD% were observed in case of RFD calculated during first 100 ms and when cut-off filter at 5 Hz was applied, indicating those two methods as the most appropriate ones. Significance: Our study contributes to the establishment of methodological suggestions that will help in maximizing the reliability of RFD-SF measurements, collecting normative data, and comparing results among different populations and lab settings.
Dynamic modeling approach to gymnastic coaching

The authors present a system for coaching novice gymnasts in performing the kip based on detailed body information. They study the kip using a pendulum and kinematically redundant 3-link model. Their simulations have shown that a variable length pendulum model is sufficient for modeling the dynamics of an expert gymnast's center-of-mass without considering the complex parameters of the 3-link model. The authors optimize the dynamics equations of the pendulum using boundary conditions obtained from an expert gymnast's center-of-mass trajectory. By varying these conditions they discover target and timing regions of success and other finds of basic coaching information. The authors input this information to the 3-link model to obtain detailed coaching information such as center-of-mass trajectories matched to the user's body characteristics and corresponding torque data. This system improves on current coaching techniques for the kip.
Customer orientation in an Australian public service agency and its effect on public service motives: developing a research study

The Australian public service has experienced dramatic changes during the last few decades. One of the changes is the push for public servants to behave in accordance with private sector principles, such as customer service orientation. This paper is developing a research study that aims to analyse the motivational forces that enable (or disable) the behavioural changes of public servants and what impact (if any) those changes have on traditional public service motives. The study intends to use an extended expectancy-valence model together with a public service motive measurement scale to identify if there are relationships between motivational forces, customer service oriented behaviour and public service motives.
Is early postoperative administration of pregabalin beneficial for patients with lung cancer?-randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND Post-thoracotomy pain is an obstacle for lung-cancer patients even after introduction of less invasive surgical procedures. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate if early postoperative administration of pregabalin is beneficial for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS We conducted a randomized open control trial. Patients with NSCLC were allocated randomly to epidural and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use for analgesia (control group) or pregabalin use (pregabalin group). Primary endpoint was the frequency of additional administration of a NSAID. Secondary endpoints were intensity of ongoing pain, frequency of neuropathic pain, and pain catastrophizing. RESULTS Seventy-two patients were registered and allocated. Thirty-four cases in the control group and 33 in the pregabalin group were assessed. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), type of surgical procedure, type of lymph-node dissection, operation time, bleeding, duration of chest-tube insertion, and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups was not significantly different. Frequency of additional NSAID use between the control group (2±4 suppositories) and pregabalin group (2±3 suppositories) was not significantly different (P=0.62). Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for the intensity of ongoing pain, frequency of neuropathic pain, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) between each group were not significantly different at any time until 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Early postoperative administration of pregabalin is not beneficial for patients with NSCLC.
17q22-24 chromosomal losses and alterations of protein kinase a subunit expression and activity in adrenocorticotropin-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia.

CONTEXT Primary adrenocortical hyperplasias leading to Cushing syndrome include primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease and ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH). Inactivating mutations of the 17q22-24-located PRKAR1A gene, coding for the type 1A regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (PKA), cause primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease and the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome Carney complex. PRKAR1A mutations and 17q22-24 chromosomal losses have been found in sporadic adrenal tumors and are associated with aberrant PKA signaling. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to examine whether somatic 17q22-24 changes, PRKAR1A mutations, and/or PKA abnormalities are present in AIMAH. PATIENTS We studied fourteen patients with Cushing syndrome due to AIMAH. METHODS Fluorescent in situ hybridization with a PRKAR1A-specific probe was used for investigating chromosome 17 allelic losses. The PRKAR1A gene was sequenced in all samples, and tissue was studied for PKA activity, cAMP responsiveness, and PKA subunit expression. RESULTS We found 17q22-24 allelic losses in 73% of the samples. There were no PRKAR1A-coding sequence mutations. The RIIbeta PKA subunit was overexpressed by mRNA, whereas the RIalpha, RIbeta, RIIalpha, and Calpha PKA subunits were underexpressed. These findings were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Total PKA activity and free PKA activity were higher in AIMAH than normal adrenal glands, consistent with the up-regulation of the RIIbeta PKA subunit. CONCLUSIONS PRKAR1A mutations are not found in AIMAH. Somatic losses of the 17q22-24 region and PKA subunit and enzymatic activity changes show that PKA signaling is altered in AIMAH in a way that is similar to that of other adrenal tumors with 17q losses or PRKAR1A mutations.
Shareowner Rights across the Markets: Individual Reports for 28 Different Markets (corrected August 2013) (Full PDF)

Standards and practices can differ dramatically throughout the world’s financial markets, and shareowners must know their rights in the markets where they invest. Shareowner Rights across the Markets is designed to provide shareowners a clear understanding of their rights, current practices, recent developments, and legal and regulatory frameworks in 28 jurisdictions around the world.
Low Frequency Noise and Fluctuations in Sub 0.1um Bulk and SOI CMOS Technologies

A review of recent results on the low frequency noise in advanced Si-based CMOS devices is given. The modeling approaches such as the carrier number and the Hooge mobility fluctuations used for the diagnostic of the noise sources are presented and illustrated through experimental data obtained on modern SOI and Si bulk CMOS generations. For SOI devices fully-depleted MOSFET's and double-gate structures are focused. The impact of the back gate voltage on the 1/f noise is analyzed. For Si bulk devices, a special emphasis is addressed to the role of gate leakage on both static and LF noise characteristics
The Unhealthy = Tasty Intuition and Its Effects on Taste Inferences, Enjoyment, and Choice of Food Products

Across four experiments, the authors find that when information pertaining to the assessment of the healthiness of food items is provided, the less healthy the item is portrayed to be, (1) the better is its inferred taste, (2) the more it is enjoyed during actual consumption, and (3) the greater is the preference for it in choice tasks when a hedonic goal is more (versus less) salient. The authors obtain these effects both among consumers who report that they believe that healthiness and tastiness are negatively correlated and, to a lesser degree, among those who do not report such a belief. The authors also provide evidence that the association between the concepts of “unhealthy” and “tasty” operates at an implicit level. The authors discuss possibilities for controlling the effect of the unhealthy = tasty intuition (and its potential for causing negative health consequences), including controlling the volume of unhealthy but tasty food eaten, changing unhealthy foods to make them less unhealthy but still tasty, and providing consumers with better information about what constitutes “healthy. ”
Foreign object detection and removal to improve automated analysis of chest radiographs.

PURPOSE Chest radiographs commonly contain projections of foreign objects, such as buttons, brassier clips, jewellery, or pacemakers and wires. The presence of these structures can substantially affect the output of computer analysis of these images. An automated method is presented to detect, segment, and remove foreign objects from chest radiographs. METHODS Detection is performed using supervised pixel classification with a kNN classifier, resulting in a probability estimate per pixel to belong to a projected foreign object. Segmentation is performed by grouping and post-processing pixels with a probability above a certain threshold. Next, the objects are replaced by texture inpainting. RESULTS The method is evaluated in experiments on 257 chest radiographs. The detection at pixel level is evaluated with receiver operating characteristic analysis on pixels within the unobscured lung fields and an Az value of 0.949 is achieved. Free response operator characteristic analysis is performed at the object level, and 95.6% of objects are detected with on average 0.25 false positive detections per image. To investigate the effect of removing the detected objects through inpainting, a texture analysis system for tuberculosis detection is applied to images with and without pathology and with and without foreign object removal. Unprocessed, the texture analysis abnormality score of normal images with foreign objects is comparable to those with pathology. After removing foreign objects, the texture score of normal images with and without foreign objects is similar, while abnormal images, whether they contain foreign objects or not, achieve on average higher scores. CONCLUSIONS The authors conclude that removal of foreign objects from chest radiographs is feasible and beneficial for automated image analysis.
Extended‐Release Epidural Morphine (DepoDur™): An Old Drug with a New Profile

Abstract: The FDA has recently approved a novel formulation for epidural morphine administration that allows a single injection to provide 48 hours of analgesia. This may eliminate the need for an indwelling epidural catheter in some circumstances and therefore be particularly well suited to postoperative situations where anticoagulation is required. Other uses that have been less thoroughly studied should be approached with due caution.
EphA 2 in the Early Pathogenesis and Progression of Non – Small Cell Lung Cancer

Overexpression of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 occurs in non–small cell lung cancer Auth Onco Ande Biom Rece 11/2 G and Cent R Neck Canc 713© do www ors' Affiliations: D logy, Pathology, rson Cancer Cen edical Sciences a ived 8/8/09; rev 4/09. rant support: Joa NCI grant CA 166 er Flow Cytometry equests for reprin Medical Oncolo er Center, 1515 H 792-6363; Fax: 71 2009 American As i:10.1158/1940-6