Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Investigation of BI Implementation Critical Success Factors in Iranian Context

Nowadays, many organizations take Business Intelligence (BI) systems to improve their decision-making processes. Although many organizations have adopted BI systems, not all of these implementations have been successful. This paper seeks to identify critical success factors (CSFs) that impact on successful implementation of BI systems in organizations. So, at first, through literature review, 26 CSFs were identified. Following that, a questionnaire was developed and then filled out by domain experts who had at least three years of experience in BI implementation projects in Iran. Robust Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was run for data analysis, which finally classified 26 CSFs into four distinct groups termed as "organizational", "human", "project management", and "technical". The results of this study provide a very useful reference for scholars and managers to identify the relevant issues of BI projects in Iran.
Blood pressure measures and risk of chronic kidney disease in men.

BACKGROUND High blood pressure (BP) has been associated with a decrease in kidney function. However, it remains unclear which BP measure best predicts impaired kidney function. METHODS We compared systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in predicting risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We prospectively followed 8093 male participants in the Physicians' Health Study, without a known history of kidney disease at baseline, who provided BP values on the baseline and 24-month questionnaires, and for whom we had creatinine measures after 14 years of follow-up. Reported BP was averaged from both questionnaires. The main outcome was CKD, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). We used multivariable-adjusted logistic regression to evaluate the association between BP measures and CKD and compared models using the likelihood ratio test. RESULTS After 14 years of follow-up, 1039 men (12.8%) had CKD. An increase of 10 mmHg had corresponding multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.11 (1.03-1.19) for SBP, 1.11 (1.00-1.23) for MAP, 1.14 (1.05-1.25) for PP and 1.05 (0.93-1.17) for DBP. SBP and PP were the strongest predictors of chronic kidney function, with equal predictive abilities. Combining BP measures did not add significantly to the prediction. CONCLUSIONS Increases in SBP, PP and MAP were significantly associated with CKD. SBP may be the most clinically useful predictor of CKD, since no further calculations are required.
The N-Terminal Domain of the Repressor of Staphylococcus aureus Phage Φ11 Possesses an Unusual Dimerization Ability and DNA Binding Affinity

Bacteriophage Φ11 uses Staphylococcus aureus as its host and, like lambdoid phages, harbors three homologous operators in between its two divergently oriented repressor genes. None of the repressors of Φ11, however, showed binding to all three operators, even at high concentrations. To understand why the DNA binding mechanism of Φ11 repressors does not match that of lambdoid phage repressors, we studied the N-terminal domain of the Φ11 lysogenic repressor, as it harbors a putative helix-turn-helix motif. Our data revealed that the secondary and tertiary structures of the N-terminal domain were different from those of the full-length repressor. Nonetheless, the N-terminal domain was able to dimerize and bind to the operators similar to the intact repressor. In addition, the operator base specificity, binding stoichiometry, and binding mechanism of this domain were nearly identical to those of the whole repressor. The binding affinities of the repressor and its N-terminal domain were reduced to a similar extent when the temperature was increased to 42°C. Both proteins also adequately dislodged a RNA polymerase from a Φ11 DNA fragment carrying two operators and a promoter. Unlike the intact repressor, the binding of the N-terminal domain to two adjacent operator sites was not cooperative in nature. Taken together, we suggest that the dimerization and DNA binding abilities of the N-terminal domain of the Φ11 repressor are distinct from those of the DNA binding domains of other phage repressors.
A Comprehensive Phase-Transfer Model for Delay-Locked Loops

This paper presents a comprehensive model for analyzing the behavior of an analog delay-locked loop (DLL). Unlike previous models, the proposed version includes both constant and variable phase-offset terms, making it possible to calculate jitter transfer characteristics, stability, and static phase errors from a single unified model. The topology more closely approximates the underlying architecture of the DLL, resulting in improved accuracy and enabling better tradeoffs between bandwidth, stability, and power.
The Copper-Inducible cin Operon Encodes an Unusual Methionine-Rich Azurin-Like Protein and a Pre-Q0 Reductase in Pseudomonas putida KT2440

ABSTRACT The genome sequences of several pseudomonads have revealed a gene cluster containing genes for a two-component heavy metal histidine sensor kinase and response regulator upstream of cinA and cinQ, which we show herein to encode a copper-containing azurin-like protein and a pre-Q0 reductase, respectively. In the presence of copper, Pseudomonas putida KT2440 produces the CinA and CinQ proteins from a bicistronic mRNA. UV-visible spectra of CinA show features at 439, 581, and 719 nm, which is typical of the plastocyanin family of proteins. The redox potential of the protein was shown to be 456 ± 4 mV by voltametric titrations. Surprisingly, CinQ is a pyridine nucleotide-dependent nitrile oxidoreductase that catalyzes the conversion of pre-Q0 to pre-Q1 in the nucleoside queuosine biosynthetic pathway. Gene disruptions of cinA and cinQ did not lead to a significant increase in the copper sensitivity of P. putida KT2440 under the conditions tested. Possible roles of CinA and CinQ to help pseudomonads adapt and survive under prolonged copper stress are discussed.
Nanocomposite Coating Mechanics via Piezospectroscopy

Coatings utilizing the piezospectroscopic (PS) effect of alpha alumina (α-Al2O3) could enable on the fly stress sensing for structural health monitoring applications. While the PS effect has been historically utilized in several applications, here by distributing the photo-luminescent material in nanoparticle form within a matrix, a stress sensing coating is created. Parallel to developing PS coatings for stress sensing, the multi-scale mechanics associated with the observed PS response of nanocomposites and their coatings has been applied to give material property measurements, providing an understanding of particle reinforced composite behavior. Understanding the nanoparticle-coating-substrate mechanics is essential to interpreting the spectral shifts for stress sensing of structures. In the past, methods to experimentally measure the mechanics of these embedded nano inclusions have been limited, and much of the design of these composites depend on computational modeling and bulk response from mechanical testing. The PS properties of Chromium doped Al2O3 allow for embedded inclusion mechanics to be revisited with unique experimental setups that probe the particles state of stress under applied load to the composite. These experimental investigations of particle mechanics will be compared to the Eshelby theory and its derivative theories in addition to the nanocomposite coating mechanics. This work discovers that simple nanoparticle load transfer theories are adequate for predicting PS properties in an intermediate volume fraction range. With fundamentals of PS nanocomposites established, the approach was applied to selected experiments to prove its validity. In general it was observed that the elastic iii modulus values calculated from the PS response were similar to that observed from macroscale strain measurements such as a strain gage. When simple damage models were applied to monitor the elastic modulus, it was observed that the rate of decay for the elastic modulus was much higher for the PS measurements than for the strain gage. A novel experiment including high resolution PS maps with secondary strain maps from digital image correlation is reviewed on an open hole tension, composite coupon. The two complementary measurements allow for a unique PS response for every location around the hole with a spatial resolution of 400 microns. Progression of intermediate damage mechanisms was observed before digital image correlation indicated them. Using the PS nanocomposite model, elastic modulus values were calculated. Introducing an elastic degradation model with some plastic deformation allows for estimation of material properties during the progression of failure. This work is part of a continuing effort to understand the mechanics of a stress sensing PS coating. The mechanics were then applied to various experimental data that provided elastic property calculations with high resolution. The significance is in the experimental capture of stress transfer in particulate composites. These findings pave the way for the development of high resolution stress-sensing coatings.
Clinical significance of KISS1 protein expression for brain invasion and metastasis

Metastases to the brain represent a feared complication and contribute to the morbidity and mortality of breast cancer. Despite improvements in therapy, prognostic factors for development of metastases are lacking. KISS1 is a metastasis suppressor that demonstrates inhibition of metastases formation in several types of cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of KISS1 expression in breast cancer progression and the development of intracerebral lesions.
Profiling successful reengineering projects

T he rapidity with which the concept of business process reengineering has been introduced and adopted by many organizations in the last few years has been nothing short of incredible. Many success stories of IT-enabled BPR have been reported [1, 7], and the enabling role of IT in BPR has been systematically examined by a number of researchers [1, 12]. With more accumulated experience, however, there is growing realization that IT is a critical enabler, but implementing reengineering involves complex sociotechnical change in an organization [2, 4]. With the “bandwagon” effect fading and reports of failures mounting, the demand for knowledge is shifting from conceptual and descriptive analysis to research results providing prescriptive guides to reengineering practice. For example, analyzing the existing business procedure has been the modus operandi for a generation of IS professionals who are accustomed to the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) framework, which typically entails the computerization of existing processes (or modest changes to these processes). When we are called upon to participate in BPR projects, should we adhere to the “clean slate” approach in process redesign [7] and pay less attention to the analysis of existing business procedures? If fundamental redesign is called for, do we implement the new design through radical changes to the organization? Or perhaps it is better to attempt incremental adjustments that may be easier to manage [11]. In this article we seek to provide substantive answers to these questions based on empirical evidence collected from more than 100 BPR project participants. This is accomplished by examining the relationships between characteristics of the reengineering project (referred to as “project profile”) and implementation success. Specifically, two aspects of the project profile will be examined: radicalness of the project and the strength of effort spent on the various stages of the project (referred to as “stage-efforts”). As shown in Figure 1, the proposed research model relates the two independent variables regarding project profile to reengineering implementation success in order to answer these important questions:
Alcohol, DNA Methylation, and Cancer

Cancer is one of the most significant diseases associated with chronic alcohol consumption, and chronic drinking is a strong risk factor for cancer, particularly of the upper aerodigestive tract, liver, colorectum, and breast. Several factors contribute to alcohol-induced cancer development (i.e., carcinogenesis), including the actions of acetaldehyde, the first and primary metabolite of ethanol, and oxidative stress. However, increasing evidence suggests that aberrant patterns of DNA methylation, an important epigenetic mechanism of transcriptional control, also could be part of the pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to alcohol-induced cancer development. The effects of alcohol on global and local DNA methylation patterns likely are mediated by its ability to interfere with the availability of the principal biological methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), as well as pathways related to it. Several mechanisms may mediate the effects of alcohol on DNA methylation, including reduced folate levels and inhibition of key enzymes in one-carbon metabolism that ultimately lead to lower SAMe levels, as well as inhibition of activity and expression of enzymes involved in DNA methylation (i.e., DNA methyltransferases). Finally, variations (i.e., polymorphisms) of several genes involved in one-carbon metabolism also modulate the risk of alcohol-associated carcinogenesis.
Lipopolysaccharide induces IFN-γ production in human NK cells

Natural killer (NK) cells have been shown to play a regulatory role in sepsis. According to the current view, NK cells become activated via macrophages or dendritic cells primed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Recently, TLR4 gene expression was detected in human NK cells suggesting the possibility of a direct action of LPS on NK cells. In this study, effects of LPS on NK cell cytokine production and cytotoxicity were studied using highly purified human NK cells. LPS was shown to induce IFN-γ production in the presence of IL-2 in NK cell populations containing>98% CD56+ cells. Surprisingly, in the same experiments LPS decreased NK cell degranulation. No significant expression of markers related to blood dendritic cells, monocytes or T or B lymphocytes in the NK cell preparations was observed; the portions of HLA-DR-bright, CD14+, CD3+, and CD20+ cells amounted to less than 0.1% within the cell populations. No more than 0.2% of NK cells were shown to be slightly positive for surface TLR4 in our experimental system, although intracellular staining revealed moderate amounts of TLR4 inside the NK cell population. These cells were negative for surface CD14, the receptor participating in LPS recognition by TLR4. Incubation of NK cells with IL-2 or/and LPS did not lead to an increase in TLR4 surface expression. TLR4-CD56+ NK cells isolated by cell sorting secreted IFN-γ in response to LPS. Antibody to TLR4 did not block the LPS-induced increase in IFN-γ production. We have also shown that Re-form of LPS lacking outer core oligosaccharide and O-antigen induces less cytokine production in NK cells than full-length LPS. We speculate that the polysaccharide fragments of LPS molecule may take part in LPS-induced IFN-γ production by NK cells. Collectively our data suggest the existence of a mechanism of LPS direct action on NK cells distinct from established TLR4-mediated signaling.
Parental Alcoholism and Offspring Behavior Problems: Findings in Australian Children of Twins

Abstract We examine the impact of rearing by an alcoholic parent on risk for child behavior problems using data on 2492 offspring drawn from two ongoing studies of children of female and male same- and opposite-sex twin pairs. Results of regression models predicting child behavior problems from parent and co-twin lifetime history of alcohol use disorder (AUD) provide support for genetic but not environmental transmission of externalizing and a measure of total problem behaviors. Results for internalizing behavior were inconclusive with respect to transmission of risk.
Monocyte subpopulations and their differentiation patterns during infection

The term “monocyte” implies a single, homogenous population of cells with uniform physiology. Recent evidence from a number of laboratories indicates that it is likely that blood monocytes may consist of several subpopulations of cells, which differ in size, nuclear morphology, granularity, and functionality. The aim of this review is to give a summary of the new findings in the emerging field of monocyte heterogeneity. We provide a short description of the differentiation patterns of blood monocyte subpopulations, with an emphasis on how these subpopulations can be influenced by infection. We provide a comparison among the main monocyte subpopulations in humans, mice, and rats and illustrate some of the common features of these cells and some of the important interspecies distinctions. We will also discuss the bone marrow precursors of these cells and the differentiation patterns of these subsets in different tissues in response to infection. Most of the data about monocyte trafficking during infection are necessarily derived from murine models, and comparisons between mouse and man must be made with caution. However, these models may provide interesting springboards to permit us to speculate about the topic of monocyte heterogeneity in humans.
Numerical simulation of biomass fast pyrolysis in fluidized bed and auger reactors

Seeking a clean alternative energy resource is inevitable because of the limited fossil fuel energy resources and greenhouse gas emissions issue. Recently, advances in chemical and fuel processing technologies allow us to convert biomass to energy products with high energy density and value. Fast pyrolysis process is among the promising technologies for converting biomass to bio-oil and combustible gases and has gained substantial attention due to its ability to produce high yields of bio-oil, a valuable liquid which can be further upgraded to transportation fuels. Nonetheless, many obstacles need to be overcome in order to utilize biomass fast pyrolysis effectively and economically. For example, moving to large-scale operations is an important step to lower the capital cost of such processes. However, a detailed understanding of the complex thermo-physical phenomena happening inside the fast pyrolysis reactors is needed for designing and optimizing the process at large scales. In this work, biomass fast pyrolysis is studied in various reactor geometries using a comprehensive numerical framework developed in this study. In this framework, a combination of a flow solver and chemical reaction solver is employed to describe pyrolysis of biomass. A multi-fluid model is used to describe the multiphase hydrodynamics of fast pyrolysis and the kinetic theory of granular flows is used to account for the solid phases. Then, a global pyrolysis reaction mechanism is coupled with the multi-fluid model to build a comprehensive CFD model capable of predicting time-dependent properties of chemically reacting multi-phase flows in pyrolysis process. A time-splitting technique is also employed to couple the flow solver and reaction kinetics. This numerical model is first tested on a bubbling fluidized bed pyrolyzer and validated using experimental data
Bad Nature, Bad Nurture, and Testimony Regarding MAOA and SLC6A4 Genotyping at Murder Trials *

Abstract: Recent research—in which subjects were studied longitudinally from childhood until adulthood—has started to clarify how a child’s environment and genetic makeup interact to create a violent adolescent or adult. For example, male subjects who were born with a particular allele of the monoamine oxidase A gene and also were maltreated as children had a much greater likelihood of manifesting violent antisocial behavior as adolescents and adults. Also, individuals who were born with particular alleles of the serotonin transporter gene and also experienced multiple stressful life events were more likely to manifest serious depression and suicidality. This research raises the question of whether testimony regarding a defendant’s genotype, exposure to child maltreatment, and experience of unusual stress is appropriate to present during the guilt or penalty phases of criminal trials, especially when capital punishment is a consideration. The authors present their experience in genotyping criminal defendants and presenting genetic information at criminal trials.
Patient-centered, direct-access online care for management of atopic dermatitis: a randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE New models of health care delivery for dermatological care have the potential to increase access and improve patient-centered outcomes. OBJECTIVE To compare effectiveness of a direct-access, online model for follow-up dermatologic care in pediatric and adult patients with atopic dermatitis with that of in-person office visits. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This was a 1-year, randomized controlled equivalency clinical trial in medically underserved areas, outpatient clinics, and the general community. Participants included children and adults with atopic dermatitis with access to the Internet, computers, and digital cameras. INTERVENTIONS After an initial in-person visit, patients were randomized 1:1 to direct-access online or usual in-person care for follow-up management of atopic dermatitis. In the direct-access online group, patients captured and transmitted clinical images and history asynchronously to dermatologists online; dermatologists evaluated the clinical information, provided recommendations and education, and prescribed medications online asynchronously. In the in-person group, patients visited dermatologists in their offices for follow-up care. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Atopic dermatitis disease severity as assessed by patient-oriented eczema measure (POEM) and investigator global assessment (IGA). RESULTS A total of 156 children and adults were randomized. Between baseline and 12 months, the mean (SD) within-group difference in POEM score in patients in the direct-access online group was -5.1 (5.48) (95% CI, -6.32 to -3.88); in the in-person group, the within-group difference was -4.86 (4.87) (95% CI, -6.27 to -3.46). The difference in the change in POEM scores between the 2 groups was 0.24 (6.59) (90% CI, -1.70 to 1.23), which was contained within the predetermined 2.5 equivalence margin. The percentage of patients achieving clearance or near-clearance of their disease (IGA score of 0 or 1) was 38.4% (95% CI, 27.7% to 49.3%) in the direct-access online group and 43.6% (95% CI, 32.6%-54.6%) in the in-person group. The difference in the percent of patients achieving clearance or near-clearance between the 2 groups was 5.1% (90% CI, 1.7%-8.6%), which was contained within the predetermined 10% equivalence margin. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The direct-access online model results in equivalent improvements in atopic dermatitis clinical outcomes as in-person care. Direct-access online care may represent an innovative model of delivering dermatological services to patients with chronic skin diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00985894.