Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coarse space for domain decomposition method with optimized transmission conditions . (Espaces grossiers pour les méthodes de décomposition de domaine avec conditions d'interface optimisées)

The objective of this thesis is to design an efficient domain decomposition method to solve solid and fluid mechanical problems, for this, Optimized Schwarz methods (OSM) are considered and revisited. The optimized Schwarz methods were introduced by P.L. Lions. They consist in improving the classical Schwarz method by replacing the Dirichlet interface conditions by a Robin interface conditions and can be applied to both overlapping and non overlapping subdomains. Robin conditions provide us an another way to optimize these methods for better convergence and more robustness when dealing with mechanical problem with almost incompressibility nature. In this thesis, a new theoretical framework is introduced which consists in providing an Additive Schwarz method type theory for optimized Schwarz methods, e.g. Lions' algorithm. We define an adaptive coarse space for which the convergence rate is guaranteed regardless of the regularity of the coefficients of the problem. Then we give a formulation of a two-level preconditioner for the proposed method. A broad spectrum of applications will be covered, such as incompressible linear elasticity, incompressible Stokes problems and unstationary Navier-Stokes problem. Numerical results on a large-scale parallel experiments with thousands of processes are provided. They clearly show the effectiveness and the robustness of the proposed approach.
The defect in humoral immunity in patients with Nijmegen breakage syndrome is explained by defects in peripheral B lymphocyte maturation

Patients with an immunodeficiency in the course of Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) that is caused by mutations in the NBN/NBS1 gene are prone to recurrent infections and malignancies, due to a defective DNA double‐strand breaks repair mechanism. Four‐color flow cytometry was used to analyze changes in B lymphocyte subsets reflecting the most important stages of peripheral B cell maturation. It was demonstrated that the humoral immune defect observed in NBS patients was caused by reduced numbers of B lymphocytes, but also by their aberrant maturation. Reduced relative and absolute counts of naïve and memory B cells were accompanied by a significant accumulation of the natural effector B lymphocytes. The elevated proportion of IgM‐only memory and reduced proportion of IgM‐negative cells within the memory B cell pool suggests that there is class‐switch recombination defect in this population of cells in NBS patients, resulting in inadequate production of immunoglobulins. Because of the reduced T‐cell counts, the T‐cell dependent antigen response is severely impaired resulting in a lower frequency of memory B‐cells. The T‐cell independent B‐cell differentiation pathway seems less affected. The reduced IgG and IgA levels in patients with NBS are caused both by ineffective class switch, at least due to poor T cell help, and low number of memory B cells. This study illustrates that the NBN gene product nibrin plays an important role at different levels in the B‐cell system. © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Migrating i-vectors between speaker recognition systems using regression neural networks

This paper studies the scenario of migrating from one i-vector-based speaker recognition system (SRE) to another, i.e. comparing the i-vectors produced by one system with those produced by another system. System migration would typically be motivated by deploying a system with improved recognition accuracy, e.g. because of technological upgrade, or because of the necessity of processing new kind of data, etc. Unfortunately, such migration is very likely to result in the incompatibility between the new and the original i-vectors and, therefore, in the inability of comparing the two. This work studies various topologies of Regression Neural Networks for transforming i-vectors from three different systems so that—with slight loss in the accuracy—they are compatible with the reference system. We present the results on the NIST SRE 2010 telephone condition.
Information technology governance on public sector audit performance

The fast growing trend of information technology (IT) transformation in the organisation and huge IT investment by Malaysian Government have triggered the significance of IT risk and its related controls.Besides, technology enabled auditing and IT oriented audit procedures have become crucial when performing audit task in an electronic environment.Technology-enabled auditing is a process of examination using audit technology in assuring the electronic data being managed properly and reliable in assisting auditors to form an audit opinion.Although, many initiatives being implemented to improve technology usage but audit technology usage among the auditors are still low and auditors are not attaining sufficient progress in the use of technology.This implies that technology enabled audit performance may not lead to the expected outcomes in achieving the effective, efficient and quality audit task. Furthermore, it also indicates that the current strategies and policies may not effectively support the technology implementation.In the same vein, the under-utilisation of technologies was reported due to inadequate governance.Known the high cost and low success rate, reasons for these issues need to be understood and strategies towards success vital to be discovered.Thus, this study intent to investigate the impact of IT governance on technology enabled audit performance.IT governance is a mechanism to stimulate anticipated behaviour in the use of technology among the employees of an organisation and it is a subset of corporate governance. Agency theory will be employed in explaining the phenomena.A survey using closed-ended questionnaire will be distributed to approximately 300 Malaysia public sector auditor in National Audit Department of Malaysia whom performing technology enabled auditing.The finding of the study expected to enrich the existing body of knowledge and accounting professional practice on the significant role of IT governance in assuring the successful implementation of technology enabled auditing.
Circadian Rhythms of Rod–Cone Dominance in the Japanese Quail Retina

When the Japanese quail is held in constant darkness, retinal responses (ERG b-waves) increase during the animal’s subjective night and decrease during its subjective day. Rod photoreceptors dominate the b-wave responses (λmax = 506 nm) to all stimulus intensities at night but only to those intensities below the cone threshold during the day. Above the cone threshold, cones dominate b-wave responses (λmax, ∼550–600 nm) during the day regardless of the state of retinal adaptation. Apparently a circadian oscillator enables cone signals to block rod signals during the day but not at night. The ERG b-wave reflects the activity of bipolar cells that are postsynaptic to rods and cones. The ERG a-wave reflects the activity of both rods and cones. The amplitude of the isolated a-wave (PIII) changes with time of day, as does that of the b-wave, but its spectral sensitivity does not. The PIII responses are maximal at ∼520 nm both day and night and may reflect multiple receptor mechanisms. The shift in rod–cone dominance detected with the ERG b-wave resembles the Purkinje shift of human vision but, unlike the Purkinje shift, does not require a change in ambient light intensity. The shift occurs in constant darkness, with a period of ∼24 hr indicative of a circadian rhythm in the functional organization of the retina.
Hypothesis Testing for the Questionnaire Investigation on Tourists’ Behavior

Tourists from abroad are increasing rapidly in Japan. Kawazu town in Izu Peninsula is famous for its cherry trees. In the cherry blossom season, many tourists visit this town. The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival was carried out in February 2015. Our research investigation was performed during that period. In this paper, a questionnaire investigation is executed in order to clarify tourists’ behavior, and to seek the possibility of developing regional collaboration among local government, tourism related industry and visitors. Hypothesis testing was executed based on that. We have set 10 Null hypotheses. In the hypothesis testing, 6 cases out of 10 null hypotheses were rejected and the majority of hypotheses were insisted clearly. We have obtained fruitful results.
Tracking Long-Distance Songbird Migration by Using Geolocators

We mapped migration routes of migratory songbirds to the Neotropics by using light-level geolocators mounted on breeding purple martins (Progne subis) and wood thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina). Wood thrushes from the same breeding population occupied winter territories within a narrow east-west band in Central America, suggesting high connectivity of breeding and wintering populations. Pace of spring migration was rapid (233 to 577 kilometers/day) except for one individual (159 kilometers/day) who took an overland route instead of crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Identifying songbird wintering areas and migration routes is critical for predicting demographic consequences of habitat loss and climate change in tropical regions.
Low complexity energy-efficient design for OFDMA systems with an elaborate power model

In this paper, we investigate the resource allocation for joint transmitter and receiver energy efficiency maximization in orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems. An elaborate power dissipation model is proposed for OFDMA systems considering the transmission power from the base station side, the signal processing power and radio frequency (RF) circuit power from both sides. Then we formulate the energy efficiency maximization problem and propose a two-step method based on the relationship analysis of the single subcarrier-user (SU) pair energy efficiency and system energy efficiency. Specifically, we first pair each subcarrier with the user resulting in highest SU pair energy efficiency, which is motivated by a special case study. Then, we propose a linear complexity scheme by exploring the inherent fractional structure of the system energy efficiency, which is proved to be optimal for the power allocation with given SU pairing in the first step. Finally, we provide a sufficient condition under which our proposed two-step method is globally optimal. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and we also find that exploiting more user diversity is not always beneficial from the perspective of energy efficiency.
Feasible Simulation of Diseases Related to Bone Remodelling and of Their Treatment

A great advance in understanding mechanosensing and mechanotransduction of bone tissue has occurred in the past years. However, a clear answer is yet to come. There is plentiful evidence that most cells in human body are able to sense their mechanical environment, including osteoblasts and osteocytes. Li et al. found that marrow stromal cells change their proliferation rate and gene expression patterns in response to mechanical stimulation (Li et al, 2004). Ehrlich and Lanyon mention that osteocytes produce significantly higher levels of PGE2 (prostaglandin E2) and PGI2 (prostacylin) than osteoblasts and in vivo inhibition of prostaglandins prevents bone adaptation in response to mechanical strains (Ehrlich and Lanyon, 2002). Further, nitric oxide NO is also a mediator of mechanically induced bone formation. It is released, similarly, as prostanoids, in higher levels after exposure to physiological levels of mechanical loading. Moreover, Rubin discovered that dynamic loading down-regulates osteoclastic formation (Rubin et al, 2000) (more precisely, the strained bone cell downregulates its expression of RANKL (Rubin et al, 2004)), which suggests that mechanical forces play an important role in bone adaptation process. Candidate mechanoreceptors within a cell are stretch-activated channels, integrins (membrane spanning proteins that couple the cell to its extracellular environment), connexins (membrane spanning proteins that form channels that allow the direct exchange of small molecules with adjacent cells including intercellular communication via gap junctions), and membrane structure (Rubin, 2006). Nowadays, there is also a completely different possible explanation for transformation mechanical signal into a biochemical function. Valle et al. explain in their review that only a proper mechanical loading may lead to exposure of binding sites and thus enabling further biochemical processes to proceed (Valle, 2007). Most probably multiple mechanosensors are involved in receiving mechanical signals. Moreover, there are other studies showing the importance of many other mechanisms beside those mentioned above (Lemaire et al, 2004). On tissue level, it is clear that mechanical loading is important in the bone remodelling process. Heřt described an interaction between the mechanical stimulation of local cells and the bone adaptation process in the 1970s (Heřt et al, 1972), Frost observed the same behaviour in his clinical praxis and summed it up in his „Utah paradigm“ (Frost, 2004). More recently, the fundamental importance of dynamic loading was accepted. Comparison of the static versus the dynamic loading effects on bone remodelling is given in a nice and
The effect of fermented soy (FSWW08) on blood hematology and cachexia in cancer patients

Abstract In cancer patients, appetite and immune status are significantly weakened. Two experimental fermented formulations without (group A, named as FSWW08) and with (group B, FSWW08) an extract from yam root were investigated against a placebo formulation with casein (group C) in a clinical study conducted in six cancer hospitals where cancer patients underwent radio or chemotherapy (patients undergoing radiation therapy n=78, patients undergoing chemotherapy n=184, total 262). IgG and IgA were increased by formulation A in patients despite receiving radio- or chemotherapy. Group A experienced statistically significant increases in lymphocyte transformation rates, whereas group B and group C did not. Formulations A and B either inhibited or lessened statistically significant decreases in white blood counts, whereas the placebo group experienced substantial decreases. Hemoglobin and platelet decreases were inhibited in group A, although not statistically significantly. Patients in group A received no blood transfusions, whereas many patients from the placebo group received blood transfusions. Appetite loss was reduced in group A from 57.9% to 13.3% and in group B from 70% to 35.8%. In the placebo group, an increase in appetite loss was detected under chemo and radiation therapy from 41.8% to 70.9%.
Bone apposition onto oral implants in the sinus area filled with different grafting materials. A histological study in beagle dogs.

The placement of oral implants into jaw bone has a high predictability provided an adequate bone volume surrounding the implant is present to ensure primary stability and resistance to functional loading forces after completion of osseointegration. In the distal area of the maxilla, an adequate bone volume is often lacking because of the proximity of the sinus cavities. The aim of this study was to evaluate histologically the simultaneous placement of endosseous implants into the sinus cavity and the surgical elevation of the sinus floor including filling the cavity with different grafting materials. In 9 sinus areas of 5 beagle dogs, 9 titanium implants (ITI Dental Implant System) were placed, and the void space of the sinus cavity was filled simultaneously with either demineralized freeze-dried human cortical bone (Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation), resorbable hydroxyapatite (Osteogen) or natural cancelleous bovine bone mineral (Bio-Oss). To study bone formation, fluorochrome markers (tetracycline HCl and calcein green) were used at 2 and 8 weeks. Clinically, all implants healed uneventfully, and 5 months after implant placement the dogs were killed for histologic evaluation. All implants exhibited osseointegration within the pre-existing cortical bone of the sinus floor. The implants surrounded by freeze-dried bone xenografts yielded no formation of new bone, whereas the sites with hydroxyapatite or natural bovine bone mineral demonstrated newly formed bone with direct contact at the implant surface. The average extent of bone to implant contact was 25% (SD = 10.6%) and 27% (SD = 8.8%), respectively in relation to the length of the originally denuded implant surface. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Conservative treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis: review of existing options

Abstract Endometriosis with its estimated incidence rate of ∼7–10% of women of reproductive age is a disease with the wide spectrum of symptoms depending on form and localization of endometrial foci. One clinical form of endometriosis is deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), most difficult to manage and generating a lot of direct and indirect treatment costs. We search the literature from PubMed database to establish the role of conservative treatment of DIE. Randomised controlled trials are lacking but in experts opinion hormonal treatment should be the first-line treatment in DIE. After evaluation of pain or other symptoms, second-line therapy with GnRH analogs or danazol should be offered or minimally invasive surgery. Consensus is not made whether surgery is the best therapeutic treatment for affected patients. Strong depending on surgeon’s experience conservative surgery should be offered if the total excision of DIE foci is possible, which is essential for a successful outcome. If available treatment options do not release pain associated with DIE, experimental treatment in clinical trials should be discussed with patients.
The collaboration capability of global virtual teams: relationships with functional diversity, absorptive capacity, and innovation

Abstract Global virtual teams (GVTs) are increasingly utilized in industry given their ability to bring together diverse knowledge and experience from individuals who are not geographically proximal. Having diverse knowledge resources within the GVT benefits innovation outcomes; yet, how such resources create innovation-related value remains to be fully explored. In this study, we use a sample of GVT members from an organization in Silicon Valley to examine the direct and indirect effects of GVT functional diversity on innovation outcomes. Using a capability perspective, we find that one means through which diversity creates value and delivers innovation outcomes is via the team’s absorptive capacity. Additionally, we introduce the role of GVT collaboration capability and find that the collaboration capability positively moderates the effect of functional diversity on innovation outcomes and absorptive capacity. The implications of the findings are discussed and recommendations are offered for organizations using GVTs.
A Comparison of Excess Stock Market Return to Standard Marketing Metrics

Marketing metrics provide measures of the impact of various marketing strategies. This paper examines excess stock market return as a potential measure to include in the metric arsenal. Excess stock return reflects investors’ views of the likely impact of a particular strategy. Investors form expectations about how the strategy will affect future cash flows. Consequently, a stock’s price changes to reflect investor “votes” about the strategy’s impact on firm value. By tapping into event study techniques for measuring the impact of an announcement, firms can better understand the value of a particular marketing strategy. An assessment of various marketing measures indicates that excess stock market return compares favorably to other metrics. Excess return yields unbiased estimates, allows direct causal inference, is future oriented, includes all cash flows, accounts for opportunity costs, factors in risk, and takes into account the time value of money.
Impact of Social Media Marketing on SME Business

With the growth of Internet and smartphone penetration in India, The Social Media is touching large section of the society in many ways. The Social Media's adoption led by Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn offers tremendous power to the marketers to do precise targeting in a very cost efficient way. The best part of these platforms is they offer excellent reporting and analytics thus helping the executor to stay on top of campaign performance and take appropriate timely decisions to make the campaign more effective and result oriented. The traditional media like TV, Print, Radio etc are far from reachability of the SME's of India and mainly works well for large brands and business with deep pockets. The Digital Marketing and especially Social Media has emerged as a very cost effective medium for SME's and good adaption of these mediums can bring significant benefits to the business and help achieve the growth objective of the organization not only domestically but globally as well. The social media leaderboard includes Facebook with 90 Million user base followed by 20 Million each of Twitter & LinkedIn. A comprehensive social media strategy coupled with other digital marketing tools like SEO & SEM can provide excellent platform for SME's to reach out to its target clients and can result in building lifelong communities of potential and existing clients. This paper attempts to highlight the impact of Digtial Marketing and Social Media strategy on the SME's and the earned benefits.
Volumetric Analysis of Tourist Arrivals in Ecotourism sites of Cross River State, Nigeria

This study examined tourists‟ arrivals in ecotourism sites and events within Cross River state, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected through questionnaire survey, interviews, field inventory and participatory rural appraisal methods. The data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, percentages, averages, graphs, charts, frequencies and maps while analysis of Variance was employed to determine the difference in the annual arrivals in the area. The findings reveal that a total of 27,326 tourists‟ visited the study locations between 2005 and 2015 and out of this number, the months of January, September and December have the highest recorded number of tourists‟ arrivals with 3015, 2549 and 3920 respectively. The participatory research appraisal shows that the variation in the number of tourists‟ arrivals in some of the months was attributed to the availability of traditional events. Based on this finding, it is recommended that more effort be made to organize more events in the state so that more tourists‟ would be attracted to visit the state and this will eliminate or reduce the effect of tourism seasonality in the state.