A Temporal Frequent Itemset-Based Clustering Approach For Discovering Event Episodes From News Sequence

When performing environmental scanning, organizations typically deal with a numerous of events and topics about their core business, relevant technique standards, competitors, and market, where each event or topic to monitor or track generally is associated with many news documents. To reduce information overload and information fatigues when monitoring or tracking such events, it is essential to develop an effective event episode discovery mechanism for organizing all news documents pertaining to an event of interest. In this study, we propose the time-adjoining frequent itemset-based event-episode discovery (TAFIED) technique. Based on the frequent itemset-based hierarchical clustering (FIHC) approach, our proposed TAFIED further considers the temporal characteristic of news articles, including the burst, novelty, and temporal proximity of features in an event episode, when discovering event episodes from the sequence of news articles pertaining to a specific event. Using the traditional feature-based HAC, HAC with a time-decaying function (HAC+TD), and FIHC techniques as performance benchmarks, our empirical evaluation results suggest that the proposed TAFIED technique outperforms all evaluation benchmarks in cluster recall and cluster precision

Assessing the diffusion of FinTech innovation in financial industry: using the rough MCDM model

We develop a conceptual structure to explore how financial technology (FinTech) innovation is being implemented to deal with vague, inconsistent and ambiguous knowledge in actual world. The structure of this study is built upon the technology, organization, environment (TOE) context, which one uses the concept of multi-criteria estimation to measure the significance of FinTech innovation. We develop an integrated MCDM (multiple criteria decision-making) model through rough set theory help administrators obtain a strategic influence relation map for enhancing performance approaching towards the aspiration value. This model involves three steps: primary, we apply this rough number to define group views which reflect upon experts’ real experiences; second, we use the rough DEMATEL-based ANP-(RDANP) to acquire the rough influential weights and rough influential network relationship map (RINRM) based on this TOE structure and its corresponding attributes; finally, we utilize the rough modified VIKOR with the influence to analyze the gap between the performance value and the aspirated level. The empirical case was originated from financial industry in Taiwan. According to the weighting results the expected benefits, technology integration, and competitive pressure were the most important criteria. Our results also illustrate how FinTech innovation can be used for promoting financial services

The impact of macroeconomic factors on the real estate investment trust index return on Japan, Singapore and China

This study contributes to the existing literature by combining the multiple methods to clarify the influence of the macroeconomic factors on the real estate investment trust (REIT) index in three Asian countries. The authors, first, use an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds test to find that a long-run equilibrium exists between the REIT index and the interest rate, inflation rate, and stock index for China and Singapore. The authors, then, analyze the long- and short-run elasticity of the macroeconomic variables on the REIT index. Finally, using the Granger non-causality test, the authors demonstrate that a unidirectional relationship, in which inflation-rate shifts cause REIT index changes, exists in Japan and Singapore and that a wealth effect, in which stock index movements cause REIT index changes, exists in Singapore. The findings have economic implications for investors seeking to gain from REITs using macroeconomic factors. Keywords: REITs, macroeconomic factor, ARDL bounds test, ARDL long-run model, error-correction model, Granger non-causality test. JEL Classification: C22, G11, L85, D53, C58, F1

Experimental study on seismic vibration control of stockers in wafer and LCD panel fabs

Automated stocker system is widely used in semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries for handling and storage of valuable wafers or glass panels. Massive front opening unified pods (foups) containing wafers, or cassettes storing glass panels, are placed in shelf stockers during manufacturing. Although several preventative measures have been taken, during the past earthquakes, substantial financial loss from the industries were reported, and one of the main causes was attributed to collision of the foups or cassettes and shake off from the shelfs. This paper proposes a methodology of incorporating viscous fluid dampers into the stokers to mitigate their seismic response. Unlike conventionally been done in buildings where dampers are placed between adjacent stories, it is proposed to install dampers in between the ceiling and top of the stocker. Such configuration utilizes the large velocity at the stocker top under vibration, resulting in smaller damper size, and enables a leverage mechanism that requires smaller damper force to resist the stocker’s vibration. Both shake table tests and simulation of a full-scale stocker under realistic earthquakes have been conducted. Results indicate that both displacement and acceleration responses of the stocker can be significantly reduced, and dynamic response of the stocker under seismic excitations can be well predicted

Role of acid-sensing ion channel 3 in sub-acute-phase inflammation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Inflammation-mediated hyperalgesia involves tissue acidosis and sensitization of nociceptors. Many studies have reported increased expression of acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) in inflammation and enhanced ASIC3 channel activity with pro-inflammatory mediators. However, the role of ASIC3 in inflammation remains inconclusive because of conflicting results generated from studies of <it>ASIC3 </it>knockout (<it>ASIC3</it>^-/-) or dominant-negative mutant mice, which have shown normal, decreased or increased hyperalgesia during inflammation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we tested whether ASIC3 plays an important role in inflammation of subcutaneous tissue of paw and muscle in <it>ASIC3</it>^-/-mice induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or carrageenan by investigating behavioral and pathological responses, as well as the expression profile of ion channels. Compared with the <it>ASIC3</it>^+/+controls, <it>ASIC3</it>^-/-mice showed normal thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia with acute (4-h) intraplantar CFA- or carrageenan-induced inflammation, but the hyperalgesic effects in the sub-acute phase (1–2 days) were milder in all paradigms except for thermal hyperalgesia with CFA-induced inflammation. Interestingly, carrageenan-induced primary hyperalgesia was accompanied by an <it>ASIC3</it>-dependent <it>Nav1.9 </it>up-regulation and increase of tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant sodium currents. CFA-inflamed muscle did not evoke hyperalgesia in <it>ASIC3</it>^-/-or <it>ASIC3</it>^+/+mice, whereas carrageenan-induced inflammation in muscle abolished mechanical hyperalgesia in <it>ASIC3</it>^-/-mice, as previously described. However, <it>ASIC3</it>^-/-mice showed attenuated pathological features such as less CFA-induced granulomas and milder carrageenan-evoked vasculitis as compared with <it>ASIC3</it>^+/+mice.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We provide a novel finding that ASIC3 participates in the maintenance of sub-acute-phase primary hyperalgesia in subcutaneous inflammation and mediates the process of granuloma formation and vasculitis in intramuscular inflammation.</p

Changes in plasma C1q, apelin and adropin concentrations in older adults after descending and ascending stair walking intervention

This study compared changes in plasma complement component 1q (C1q), apelin and adropin concentrations in older obese women after descending (DSW) and ascending stair walking (ASW) training (n = 15/group) performed twice a week for 12 weeks, with gradual increases in exercise time from 5 to 60 min. Fasting blood samples were collected 3 days before the first and 4 days after the last training session. The improvements in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) strength of the knee extensors, functional physical fitness [e.g., 30-s chair stand (CS) performance], resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), insulin sensitivity [e.g., oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)] and blood lipid profiles [e.g., total cholesterol (TC)] were greater (p \u3c 0.05) in the DSW than ASW group. Plasma C1q decreased (− 51 ± 30%), and apelin (23 ± 15%) and adropin (127 ± 106%) increased (p ≤ .0.05) only after DSW. Significant (p ≤ 0.01) partial correlations were found between the pre- to post-DSW changes in C1q, apelin or adropin and changes in outcome measures [e.g., C1q and MVIC (r = − 0.837), apelin and SBP (r = − 0.854), and andropin and OGTT (r = − 0.729)]. These results showed that greater decreases in plasma C1q and greater increases in apelin and adropin concentrations were associated with greater improvements in outcome measures after DSW than after ASW

Cost-effective upgrade of a focusing system for inelastic X-ray scattering experiments under high pressure

This paper describes a scheme utilizing a set of low-cost and compact Kirkpatrick–Baez mirrors for upgrading the optical system of the Taiwan Inelastic X-ray Scattering beamline at SPring-8 for high-pressure experiments using diamond-anvil cells. The scheme as implemented improves the focus to 13 µm × 16 µm with transmission of up to 72%

O Uso dos Sistemas de Controle Gerencial e Técnicas de Gestão Operacional

It is well known that both management control systems (MCSs) and operations management (OM) are related to firm performance; however, an integrated study that involves MCS and OM within the context of firm performance is still lacking. This research aimed to examine the relationships among the use of MCSs and OM techniques and firm performance in the Brazilian auto parts industry. Simons’ levers of control framework was used to characterise the uses of MCSs, and OM techniques, such as total quality management (TQM) and continuous improvement programmes, were adopted. The results obtained through the structural equation modelling indicated that the diagnostic use of MCSs is positively associated with the goals of cost reduction. In addition, the interactive use of MCSs is positively associated with the objectives of introducing new products, which is consistent with previous research. Additionally, OM techniques are positively related to cost reduction but have no direct relationship with the introduction of new products.Sabe-se que tanto os sistemas de controle gerencial (SCGs) quanto às técnicas de gestão operacional (GO) estão relacionados com o desempenho da empresa; entretanto, a literatura acadêmica ainda carece de estudos integrados que envolvam SCGs e GO em um contexto de desempenho empresarial. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo cobrir tal lacuna. A estrutura de alavancas de controle de Simons é usada para caracterizar os usos dos SCGs, e as técnicas de GO, tais como gestão da qualidade total (TQM) e programas de melhoria contínua, foram adotadas. Os resultados obtidos pela modelagem de equações estruturais indicam que o uso diagnóstico dos SCGs está positivamente associado com os objetivos de redução de custos. Além disso, o uso interativo dos SCGs está positivamente associado com os objetivos de lançamento de novos produtos, em linha com pesquisas anteriores. Adicionalmente, as técnicas de GO estão positivamente relacionadas com redução de custos, mas não apresentam relacionamento direto com o lançamento de novos produtos

Areca Users in Combination with Tobacco and Alcohol Use Are Associated with Younger Age of Diagnosed Esophageal Cancer in Taiwanese Men

BACKGROUND: Whether the habitual use of substances (tobacco, alcohol, or areca nut (seed of the Areca palm)) can affect the age of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) presentation has rarely been examined. METHODS: The study subjects were those who were males and the first time to be diagnosed as ESCC (ICD-9 150) and who visited any of three medical centers in Taiwan between 2000 and 2009. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect substance uses and other variables. RESULTS: Mean age (±SD) at presentation of ESCC was 59.2 (±11.3) years in a total of 668 cases. After adjusting for other covariates, alcohol drinkers were 3.58 years younger to have ESCC than non-drinkers (p = 0.002). A similar result was found among areca chewers, who were 6.34 years younger to have ESCC than non-chewers (p<0.0001), but not among cigarette smokers (p = 0.10). When compared to the group using 0-1 substances, subjects using both cigarettes and alcohol were nearly 3 years younger to contract ESCC. Furthermore, those who use areca plus another substance were 7-8 years younger. Subjects using all three substances had the greatest age difference, 9.20 years younger (p<0.0001), compared to the comparison group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that habitually consuming tobacco, alcohol, and areca nut can influence the age-onset of ESCC. Since the development of ESCC is insidious and life-threatening, our observation is worthy to be reconfirmed in the large-scale and long-term follow-up prospective cohort studies to recommend the screening strategy of this disease

Fatores que contribuem ao sucesso ou fracasso em projetos: uma abordagem qualitativa

O objetivo do trabalho é investigar quais os fatores que contribuem ao sucesso de projetos gerenciados pela Metodologia da Corrente Crítica (CCPM) e Guia PMBOK®. Esta é uma pesquisa qualitativa de caráter exploratório na qual foram conduzidas entrevistas junto a executivos da área de gestão de projetos de empresas nos setores de: energia e automação, tecnologia da informação e aeroespacial, que adotam em suas avaliações a CCPM e Guia PMBOK® adaptado como metodologias de gerenciamento de projetos. Os resultados indicam que os principais fatores que mais influenciam o sucesso em projetos são: o planejamento, habilidades gerenciais, atitudes dos colaboradores, tecnologias e ferramentas, e treinamento na nova metodologia. Por outro lado, os fatores que mais contribuíram ao fracasso de projetos foram duas: o não envolvimento da alta administração e dos stakeholders