Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of autonomous solar powered SRM based water pump utilizing modified CSC converter

This work presents the design of an autonomous, cost-effective and efficient solar powered irrigation pump using a switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive. The proposed system utilizes a modified CSC (Canonical Switching Cell) converter for power optimization of photovoltaic (PV) array. The continuous inductor current mode (CICM) working of DC-DC converter significantly minimizes the stresses on its devices. The mid-point converter used to energize the SRM, is electronically commutated to minimize the semiconductor losses and enhances the performance of system. The selection of optimal value of turn-on and turn-off switching angles considerably reduces the torque ripple and increases the average torque of SRM drive. The speed control via variable DC link voltage helps to completely eliminate the voltage and current sensors from the motor side. The proposed water pump system is designed and modeled on MATLAB/Simulink platform and is implemented in the hardware. The adequate response of system under different environmental conditions, validates its appropriateness as a cost effective and reliable water pump system.
Endogenous retroviruses in mammals: An emerging picture of how ERVs modify expression of adjacent genes

Endogenous retrovirsuses (ERVs) have long been known to influence gene expression in plants in important ways, but what of their roles in mammals? Our relatively sparse knowledge in that area was recently increased with the finding that ERVs can influence the expression of mammalian resident genes by disrupting transcriptional termination. For many mammalian biologists, retrotransposition is considered unimportant except when it disrupts the reading frame of a gene, but this view continues to be challenged. It has been known for some time that integration into an intron can create novel transcripts and integration upstream of a gene can alter the expression of the transcript, in many cases producing phenotypic consequences and disease. The new findings on transcriptional termination extend the opportunities for retrotransposons to play a role in human disease.
The Black-Scholes Formulation of Option Pricing with Credit Risk

Black-Scholes Formulation is based on the hypothesis that market is complete and perfect , but the reality of financial markets and trading environment don't like that, which affected the practicality and authenticity of the pricing formula. In an imperfect market, hedging strate- gies and option pricing methods should make another adjustment. Price with cre- dit risk is an adjustment to perfect market. In fact most of OTC options contain cre- dit risk.
Interbank Payment Flows and Interbank Offered Rates

The paper explores the relationship between interbank payment flows in Chinese payment systems and the interbank offered rates in Chinese interbank markets. The empirical analysis shows that the changes of interbank payment flows have significant influences on both conditional means and conditional variances of the interbank offered rates, and with the gradual increase of the reserve deposit requirements, the correlation between interbank payment flows and interbank offered rates increases gradually.
Destination networking: co-opetition in peripheral surroundings.

Owing to the complexity of the tourist product most firms in a tourist destination are interdependent on one another. As well as being competitors they also have to work together on creating the overall quality of the total tourist product. It is difficult to separate co‐operation from competition. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a co‐opetitive theory of business derived from the results given by a networking study of marketing a tourist destination dominated by micro businesses and independent entrepreneurs. The results of the study show that there are two different sets of values in the destination and these determine and distinguish the way firms are involved in networking.
Characterization of cd44v6 isoforms in head‐and‐neck squamous‐cell carcinoma

CD44 splice variants, especially those containing the v6 domain, are assumed to play a critical role in the malignant progression of many human tumors. This concept was based on (i) the aberrant expression of CD44v6 in malignant cells, often encoded by alternatively spliced transcripts, and (ii) the absence of CD44v6 expression in corresponding normal tissues. Remarkably, data on CD44v6 expression in squamous cells do not support this hypothesis: the v6 domain is highly expressed in normal squamous tissues and down‐regulation has been described in the majority of squamous‐cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC). In this study, we have compared the expression of v6 in normal oral mucosa and HNSCC in a qualitative and quantitative way. Immuno‐histochemistry was performed with 3 different anti‐v6 antibodies (U36, U39 and VFF18) on a large panel of HNSCC cell lines and tumors. The v6‐encoding splice variants were characterized by screening a cDNA library of a human HNSCC cell line and by RT‐PCR on HNSCC cell lines, microdissected normal mucosa and primary as well as metastatic HNSCC tissue. The results revealed that there is no, or only marginal, down‐regulation of CD44v6 in HNSCC. About 97% of the primary HNSCC tumors exhibited a high and homogeneous staining pattern (U36, 270/277; U39, 268/277 tumors with more than 50% positive cells). Furthermore, the v6‐containing CD44 splice variants present in HNSCC primary tumors and metastases were identical to those expressed in normal mucosa. Our data indicate that v6‐containing CD44 splice variants do not play a role in the malignant progression of HNSCC. Int. J. Cancer 82:837–845, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Initial events in interactions of blood with a foreign surface.

The nature of the events occurring immediately after exposing foreign surfaces to fresh flowing blood was assessed using a combination of MAIR infrared spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and contact angle measurements. Within the first 5 sec after contact with blood issuing from the jugular veins of lightly anesthesized dogs, germanium prisms were uniformly coated with strongly adherent proteinaceous filsm having an average optical thickness equivalent to 2 layers of stearic acid (approx. 50 A) and having critical surface tensions of about 36 dyne/cm. A contact time of 60 sec led to a less uniform coating of average optical thickness equivalent to 5 layers of stearic acid (approx. 125 A), but with similar MAIR spectrum and wettability. The internal refelection spectra were consistent with the presence of either alpha-helical or random-chain configurations, but not with the extended chain beta-structure for proteins. Films cast from purified fibrinogen on platinum foils gave similar spectra and exhibited similar wetting properties; these observations are consistent with the hypotehsis that initial adsorptive events are dominated by fibrinogen deposition. The involvement of small amounts of lipid or other protein remains a distinct possibility, however.
Aspects of Objectivity in Quantum Mechanics

The purpose of the paper is to explore different aspects of the covariance of (mostly) non-relativistic quantum mechanics. First, doubts are expressed concerning the claim that gauge fields can be 'generated' by way of imposition of (local) gauge covariance of the single-particle wave equation. Then a brief review is given of Galilean covariance in the general case of external fields, and the connection between Galilean boosts and gauge transformations. Under time-dependent translations (and hence non-instantaneous boosts) the geometric phase associated with Schrodinger evolution is non-invariant, and the significance of this result is briefly analysed. The covariance properties of Schrodinger dynamics are then brought to bear on certain versions of the modal interpretation of quantum mechanics. The conclusion that it is only relational properties that can be considered coordinate- or gauge-independent elements of reality is reinforced by appeal to the theory of quantum reference frames due to Aharonov and Kauffher. (This paper appeared in "From Physics to Philosophy", J. Butterfield and C. Pagonis (eds.), Cambridge University Press (1999); pp. 45-70. )
How the SEC Helps Speedy Traders

We show that the Securities and Exchange Commission’s system for disseminating market-moving information in securities filings gives some investors an advantage over others. We describe two systems — the SEC’s file transfer protocol (FTP) server and public dissemination service (PDS) — that give certain investors access to securities filings before the general public. While contemporaneous work on this issue is limited to insider filings, we show that both the FTP and PDS gaps are pervasive across all types of filings, including Form 8-K, which includes market-moving information such as corporate earnings. We show that FTP access gives investors a mean (median) 85 (11)-second lead time, and PDS gives investors a mean (median) 77 (10)-second lead time, before the filing is available on the SEC’s website.We also provide evidence suggesting that investors had the opportunity to take advantage of this lead time to earn trading profits. In particular, we show that traders could earn economically and statistically significant returns by trading on either the FTP or PDS gaps. Moreover, even investors who waited as long as ninety seconds to execute trades on the FTP or PDS gaps could earn meaningful returns using this strategy. We also identify abnormal trading volume in the moments after PDS subscribers receive SEC filings.Finally, our direct access to both FTP and PDS also allow us to document the changes to those systems that the SEC implemented after the public revelation of this issue in October 2014. We show that the SEC imposed a significant delay on the PDS service after the existence of the informational advantage was revealed. We also, however, show that, as of November 2014, PDS subscribers still receive some 37% of filings before the general public. We argue that lawmakers should consider reforms that would help the SEC develop a centralized information-dissemination system that is better suited for the high-speed dynamics of modern markets.
An Operational Goal Programming Model of Mutual Fund Portfolio Determination

An operational investment model is designed and built in order to find the optimal combination of a set of pre-screened mutual fund investments to make over a specific time horizon, subject to the goals and constraints defined by the user. The model can recommend an optimal investment mix based upon the user’s goals with respect to desired return, desired risk exposure, Sharpe Ratio, or a combination thereof.
Epidemiology of Fungal Keratitis in North Vietnam

The epidemiological characteristics and the causative agents of fungal keratitis at the National Ophthalmology hospital, the biggest eye care hospital in North Vietnam were described by using questionnaire and analyzing of ITS region sequences. In 2008, 687 fungal keratitis patients were diagnosed and 363 fungal strains were isolated from these patients. The predominant fungal species isolated was Fusarium spp. (39.6%), followed by Aspergillus spp. (25.9%). No yeast species was isolated. A large proportion of the patients was in the middle decades of life (41-60 years; 51.8%) and worked as farmers in rice fields. Corneal ulceration most often occurred after a superficial corneal injury with organic materials. Medical treatment, especially antibiotic use, were started on 551 (80.1%) of the 687 patients. The study findings have important public health implications for treatment and prevention of fungal keratitis in Vietnam.
Identification and localization of cyst-specific antigens of Giardia lamblia

We induced Giardia lamblia trophozoites to encyst in vitro by exposure to conditions which are specific to the human small intestinal milieu. We now show that encystation entails the appearance of two new groups of antigens detected in Western blots by rabbit antiserum against cysts which had been purified from human feces. A heterodisperse group of lower-molecular-mass antigens (approximately 21 to 39 kilodaltons) was expressed relatively early (less than 19 h) in encystation. In contrast, discrete bands at approximately 66, 78, 92, and 103 kilodaltons only appeared after 24 h of incubation under conditions which lead to production of large numbers of water-resistant cysts. We also describe for the first time the appearance of prominent cytoplasmic vesicles, which were the earliest morphologic change in encysting trophozoites observable by light microscopy. Early in encystation, cyst wall antigens were concentrated in these vesicles, as shown by immunocytochemistry, suggesting that the vesicles function in export of cyst wall constituents.
Oppositional defiant and conduct disorder: a review of the past 10 years, part I.

OBJECTIVE To review empirical findings on oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). METHOD Selected summaries of the literature over the past decade are presented. RESULTS Evidence supports a distinction between the symptoms of ODD and many symptoms of CD, but there is controversy about whether aggressive symptoms should be considered to be part of ODD or CD. CD is clearly heterogenous, but further research is needed regarding the most useful subtypes. Some progress has been made in documenting sex differences. Symptoms that are more serious, more atypical for the child's sex, or more age-atypical appear to be prognostic of serious dysfunction. Progress has been made in the methods for assessment of ODD and CD, but some critical issues, such as combined information from different informants, remains to be addressed. A proportion of children with ODD later develop CD, and a proportion of those with CD later meet criteria for antisocial personality disorder. ODD and CD frequently co-occur with other psychiatric conditions. CONCLUSIONS Although major advances in the study of the prevalence and course of ODD and CD have occurred in the past decade, some key issues remain unanswered.
Rac2 Functions in Both Neutrophils and Macrophages To Mediate Motility and Host Defense in Larval Zebrafish

Leukocyte motility is required for host defense responses. Rac-family Rho GTPases are implicated in leukocyte function; however, the distinct roles of different Rac isoforms in host defense in vivo have remained unclear. In this study, we generated Rac2-deficient zebrafish using transcription activator–like effector nucleases to directly compare the role of Rac2 in vivo in neutrophils and macrophages in motility and the response to infection. This zebrafish larval model is highly amenable to live imaging of leukocyte behavior, and we report that in rac2−/− larvae both neutrophils and macrophages are defective in basic motility, leading to impaired responses to localized wounds or infections. rac2−/− larvae are highly susceptible to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can be almost fully rescued by ectopic expression of either Rac2 or Rac1 specifically in neutrophils, indicating that these isoforms have partially overlapping functions in vivo. Rescue of Rac2 expression specifically in macrophages also confers resistance to Pseudomonas infection, highlighting an important role for Rac2 in this leukocyte population as well. Surprisingly, in contrast to neutrophils expressing a Rac2 dominant inhibitory human disease mutation, rac2−/− neutrophils do not have altered polarity or mobilization from hematopoietic tissue, suggesting that a different Rac isoform, such as Rac1, also contributes to these phenotypes in vivo.
Internet use, customer relationships and loyalty in the Vietnamese travel industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how small and medium‐sized travel agencies as business customers perceive the benefits and barriers of Internet use that related to the development of a positive relationships and loyalty with their service suppliers.Design/methodology/approach – Relevant hypotheses were constructed and a self‐administered questionnaire survey was conducted in the travel industry. Factor analysis and regression analysis were used to test these hypotheses.Findings – The major benefits of Internet use were interactional and transactional benefits. The main barriers of the Internet use were organizational weaknesses, poor IT infrastructure, mistrust of the Internet system and legal issues. While the benefits positively contributed to the service and social bonds, the barriers negatively impacted the development of these bonds. The interactional benefits play a major role to increase switching costs. The customer relationships and switching costs concurrently enhanced the .
Which Portuguese Manufacturing Firms Learn by Exporting

Using a longitudinal database (1996-2003) at the plant level, this paper aims to shed light on the causal nexus between international trade engagement and productivity in Portugal. We analyse in particular the learning-by-exporting hypotheses. In line with recent empirical literature, we apply mainly the Propensity Score Matching and a differences-in-differences estimator. In post-entry years we find a higher growth of labour productivity and total factor productivity for new exporting firms when compared to firms that, although having similar characteristics, have decided not to begin exporting in that year. Moreover, in an attempt to uncover the channels through which the learning effects are driven to new exporters, we applied the same methodology to some sub-samples. We found that learning effects are higher for new exporters that are also importers or start importing at the same time. Other important factors influencing that learning ability are found in firms that export to more developed markets, in those that achieve a certain threshold of export intensity and particularly for those firms that belong to sectors in which Portugal is at a comparative disadvantage
The Morphological Approach for Unconscious Consumer Motivation Research

ABSTRACT Morphological psychology leverages the theory of Gestalt to understand the underlying fundamental, and often unconscious, motivating forces behind brand and product decisions. The Morphological concept of motivation makes it possible to account for the unconscious generators of consumer behavior appropriately. It reveals the hidden symbolic meaning of products. Marketing strategies should limit themselves to one key message--the concept of single-minded proposition--conveying one ‘core feeling’ of ‘emotional value. ’ However, successful strategies consider the complex psychological mechanisms, which create the ‘emotional values. ’
The Dilemmas of Adopting Performance Related Pay as a Reward Strategy for Academic Staff in Nigerian Public Higher Institutions of Learning

In today organizations, many employers of labour in private driven and public driven organizations seems to be attracted to performance related pay (PRP) as a means of reward and compensation. Even though PRP strategy is claimed to have distinct advantages over automatic pay increase (formal and transparent reward systems linked to tenure and promotion), they are still not without problems. Among these problems envisage in Nigerian higher institutions of learning are the issue of acceptability of performance related pay as a means of reward and compensation, and low level of motivation and performance. These aforementioned problems were raised in the study research questions and also answered. This was achieved by assessing the extent to which academic staff through administered questionnaire in Nigerian higher institutions of learning believe that the introduction of performance related pay will indeed bring about the claimed motivational and performance enhancement benefits.
Effect of Antiplatelet Therapy on Thromboembolic Complications of Elective Coil Embolization of Cerebral Aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Thromboembolic events are the most common complications of elective coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms. Administration of oral clopidogrel and/or aspirin could lower the thromboembolic complication rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records over a 10-year period were reviewed in a retrospective cohort study. For 369 consecutive elective coil embolization procedures, 25 patients received no antiplatelet drugs, 86 received antiplatelet drugs only after embolization, and 258 received antiplatelet drugs before and after embolization. RESULTS: Symptomatic thromboembolic complications (transient ischemic attack or stroke within 60 days) occurred in 4 (16%) of 25 when no antiplatelet drugs were given, in 2 (2.3%) of 86 when antiplatelet drugs were administered only after embolization, and in 5 (1.9%) of 258 when antiplatelet drugs were administered before and after embolization. The lower symptomatic thromboembolic complication rate in the patients who received any antiplatelet therapy was statistically significant (P = .004). Clots were visible intraprocedurally in 5 (4.5%) of 111 when no antiplatelet drugs were administered before procedures and in 4 (1.6%) of 258 when they were (P value not significant). None of the 9 was symptomatic postprocedurally, but 7 were lysed or mechanically disrupted. Extracerebral hemorrhagic complications occurred in 0 (0%) of 25 when no antiplatelet drugs were given and in 11 (3.2%) of 344 when they were (P value not significant). CONCLUSION: Oral clopidogrel and/or aspirin significantly lowered the symptomatic thromboembolic complication rate of elective coil embolization of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. There were trends toward a lower rate of intraprocedural clot formation in patients given antiplatelet drugs before procedures and a higher hemorrhagic complication rate in patients given antiplatelet drugs. Benefits of antiplatelet therapy appear to outweigh risks.
Influence of catalog vs. store shopping and prior satisfaction on perceived risk

This paper presents the results of a study which examines the overall amount and types of risk consumers perceive when purchasing the same products by direct mail as compared to retail stores. The effect of prior catalog shopping experience on perceived risk is also examined. The results indicate that despite the gains achieved by the direct mail industry, consumers continue to perceive this shopping mode as being significantly more risky. Differences were also found with respect to the individual types of risk perceived. A significant relationship between perceived risk and the satisfaction/dissatisfaction derived from prior catalog purchase experience was also identified.
The Cost of Capital for Financial Firms

Most businesses have assets financed by capital providers. The cost of capital is a measure of the returns required by those capital providers. Its main use is to set a target for the profits, which must be achieved on the firm’s assets in order to satisfy equity and bond holders. This paper describes the classical theory of the cost of capital, and then applies it to the special case of banking and insurance firms. We develop implications for product pricing, performance measurement and capital structure optimisation.
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE SANTA CATARINA PROGRAMA DE PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM ENGENHARIA E GESTÃO DO CONHECIMENTO

This paper aims to propose an approach to the process of generating innovative ideas. This approach will help organizations systematizing the process of generating ideas and ensure that at the end of the process, the organization has an innovative idea to launch to the market. For this purpose we analyzed the models of idea generation in the literature, we identified which creativity techniques could stimulate a process of knowledge creation within the process of generating innovative ideas. Later it was proposed activities and tasks that make up the approach of generating ideas. These activities and tasks were performed by a team and finally, the results have been observed and discussed adjustments to the approach.