Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Family Business, Identity Conflict, and an Expedited Entrepreneurial Process: A Process of Resolving Identity Conflict

Drawing on Identity Control Theory (ICT) and the literature on social identity, we offer a model of the dynamics associated with competing family and business identities brought into conflict by “family–business” events. We introduce the notion of the family–business role as a distinct identity functioning at the intersection of family and business identities. This meta–level identity “manages” conflict between the family and the business identities, and is formulated and transformed within the family structure. To illustrate the dynamics of the family–business meta–identity, in this article we focus on entrepreneurial opportunities as potentially identity conflict–triggering events and illustrate how and with what impact the meta–identity works to resolve identity conflict at the intersection of family and business so as to expedite the entrepreneurial process. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of our model.
The Efficiency of Encryption Algorithms in EAX Moder of Operation in IPSEC-based Virtual Private Networks for Streaming Rich Multimedia Data

The characteristics of encryption/decryption algorithms (ciphers) and modes of their operation (modes) have significant influence on security and performance of computer networks. The common modes of cipher operation such as ECB, CBC, OFB, CFB, CTR and XTS provide various levels of data confidentiality; however, those modes do not provide integrity and authenticity of encrypted data, and, therefore, do not efficiently protect data against non-authorized access and/or malicious modification/tampering. The newest generation of cipher modes – authenticated encryption with associated data (AEAD) modes – provides confidentiality, integrity and authenticity of data in a single cryptographic scheme. This paper presents the outcomes of research project on ciphers’ efficiency in one of the most promising AEAD cryptographic schemes – the EAX mode in IPsecbased mobile virtual private networks for streaming rich multimedia data.
Mutant Brucella abortus Membrane Fusogenic Protein Induces Protection against Challenge Infection in Mice

ABSTRACT Brucella species can cause brucellosis, a zoonotic disease that causes serious livestock economic losses and represents a public health threat. The mechanism of virulence of Brucella spp. is not yet fully understood. Therefore, it is crucial to identify new molecules that serve as virulence factors to better understand this host-pathogen interplay. Here, we evaluated the role of the Brucella membrane fusogenic protein (Mfp) and outer membrane protein 19 (Omp19) in bacterial pathogenesis. In this study, we showed that B. abortus Δmfp::kan and Δomp19::kan deletion mutant strains have reduced persistence in vivo in C57BL/6 and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) knockout (KO) mice. Additionally, 24 h after macrophage infection with a Δmfp::kan or Δomp19::kan strain expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) approximately 80% or 65% of Brucella-containing vacuoles (BCVs) retained the late endosomal/lysosomal marker LAMP-1, respectively, whereas around 60% of BCVs containing wild-type S2308 were found in LAMP-1-negative compartments. B. abortus Δomp19::kan was attenuated in vivo but had a residual virulence in C57BL/6 and IRF-1 KO mice, whereas the Δmfp::kan strain had a lower virulence in these same mouse models. Furthermore, Δmfp::kan and Δomp19::kan strains were used as live vaccines. Challenge experiments revealed that in C57BL/6 and IRF-1 KO mice, the Δmfp::kan strain induced greater protection than the vaccine RB51 and protection similar that of vaccine S19. However, a Δomp19::kan strain induced protection similar to that of RB51. Thus, these results demonstrate that Brucella Mfp and Omp19 are critical for full bacterial virulence and that the Δmfp::kan mutant may serve as a potential vaccine candidate in future studies.
Flow control in microdevices using thermally responsive triblock copolymers

Active and passive microflow control has been demonstrated using gel formation by dilute aqueous solutions of triblock copolymers at elevated temperatures. Solutions of a poly(ethylene oxide)/sub 106/-poly(propylene oxide)/sub 70/-poly(ethylene oxide)/sub 106/ polymer, which has the trade name Pluronic/spl reg/ F127, have been used as a sample system. Flow in a microchannel has been stopped in less than 33 ms by introducing heat with an integrated electric heater. Viscous heating under high shear rates also induces gel formation, which has been used for passive automated flow control in a microchannel.
Transient Neonatal High Oxygen Exposure Leads to Early Adult Cardiac Dysfunction, Remodeling, and Activation of the Renin–Angiotensin System

Perinatal conditions (such as preterm birth) can affect adult health and disease, particularly the cardiovascular system. Transient neonatal high O2 exposure in rat in adulthood (a model of preterm birth–related complications) leads to elevated blood pressure, vascular rigidity, and dysfunction with renin–angiotensin system activation. We postulate that neonatal hyperoxic stress also affects myocardial structure, function, and expression of renin–angiotensin system components. Sprague-Dawley pups were kept with their mother in 80% O2 or in room air (control) from days 3 to 10 of life. Left ventricular function was assessed in 4-, 7-, 12-week-old (echocardiography) and in 16-week-old (intraventricular catheterization) male O2-exposed versus control rats. At 16 weeks, hearts from O2-exposed rats showed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, enhanced fibrosis, and increased expression of transforming growth factor-&bgr;1, senescence-associated proteins p53 and Rb, upregulation of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor expression (protein and AT1a/b mRNA), and downregulation of AT2 receptors. At 4 weeks (before blood pressure increase), the expression of cardiomyocyte surface area, fibrosis, p53, and AT1b was significantly increased and AT2 decreased in O2-exposed animals. After 4 weeks of continuous angiotensin II infusion (starting at 12 weeks), O2-exposed rats developed severe heart failure, with impaired myocardial mechanical properties compared with saline-infused rats. Transient neonatal O2 exposure in rats leads to left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis and dysfunction, and increased susceptibility to heart failure under pressure overload. These results are relevant to the growing population of individuals born preterm who may be at higher risk of cardiac dysfunction when faced with increased peripheral resistance associated with hypertension, vascular diseases, and aging.
Transitioning loyalty programs: A commentary on “the relationship between customer loyalty and customer satisfaction”

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to reflect on Bowen and Chen’s study and provide insight for researchers to help them build loyalty models that will fit the consumer behavior of Millennials and managers as they build customer loyalty with Millennials. In 2001, Bowen and Chen developed and implemented a research framework for hotel managers to identify attributes that will increase customer loyalty. Since 2001, a major shift has taken place: demographically, as Baby Boomers retire and pass on, Millennials will become the dominant generational segment. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use a review of literature to accomplish its purpose. Findings – The authors argue that the loyalty models developed for Boomers will not be a good fit for Millennials. Three propositions are presented in the paper to help researchers develop models that will explain the customer loyalty of Millennials. Research limitations/implications – Implications are presented for researchers wishing to investigate the ant.
Why T Cells of Thymic Versus Extrathymic Origin Are Functionally Different1

Age-related thymic involution severely impairs immune responsiveness. Strategies to generate T cells extrathymically are therefore being explored with intense interest. We have demonstrated that T cells produced extrathymically were functionally deficient relative to thymus-derived T cells. The main limitation of extrathymic T cells is their undue susceptibility to apoptosis; they thus do not expand properly when confronted with pathogens. Using oncostatin M-transgenic mice, we found that in the absence of lymphopenia, T cells of extrathymic origin constitutively undergo excessive homeostatic proliferation that leads to overproduction of IL-2 and IFN-γ. IFN-γ up-regulates Fas and FasL on extrathymic CD8 T cells, thereby leading to their demise by Fas-mediated apoptosis. Moreover, IFN-γ and probably IL-2 curtail survival of extrathymic CD4 T cells by down-regulating IL-7Rα and Bcl-2, and they support a dramatic accumulation of FoxP3+ T regulatory cells. Additionally, we show that wild-type thymus-derived T cells undergoing homeostatic proliferation in a lymphopenic host shared key features of extrathymic T cells. Our work explains how excessive lymphopenia-independent homeostatic proliferation renders extrathymic T cells functionally defective. Based on previous work and data presented herein, we propose that extrathymic T cells undergo constitutive homeostatic proliferation because they are positively selected by lymph node hemopoietic cells rather than by thymic epithelial cells.
The Elusive Ideal of Equal Citizenship: Political Theory and Political Psychology in the United States and Great Britain

It is a fundamental ideal of liberal democracy that all citizens should enjoy fully equal citizenship. Yet many minorities are still routinely ignored, excluded, patronized, and not regarded as full members of the political community. This denial of equal standing undermines their equal citizenship. Liberalism and Cultural Pluralism each advocate strategies to improve this situation. Their arguments build upon expectations about how citizens should, can, and do understand membership in the political community. Our survey and focus group data from six matched communities in the United States and Great Britain show how citizens’ understandings of membership in the political community incorporate communitarian attitudes that impede the liberal and cultural pluralist projects.
Rejoining of DNA fragments produced by radiations of different linear energy transfer.

PURPOSE To analyse the rejoining of DNA double-strand breaks (dsb) produced by high-linear energy transfer (LET) ions, with the specific focus on the influence, on the rejoining estimates, of the way dsb are distributed along chromosomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS Low passages of normal human fibroblasts (GM5758) were irradiated with 60Co photons, 40 keV/microm helium ions or nitrogen ions with LETs of 80, 125, 175 and 225 keV/microm. The double-stranded DNA fragment distributions, ranging from 5 kbp to 5.7 Mbp, were assayed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis after repair incubation for 0-22 h. RESULTS The rejoining was biphasic and the half-times of the two phases were 15 min and 2-3h, respectively, and were independent of LET. Although the majority of breaks were rejoined by the fast phase, both the fraction of dsb rejoined by the slow phase and the fraction of unrejoined dsb at 20-22h increased with increasing LET. CONCLUSIONS DNA fragment analysis detected LET-dependent differences in the amount of rejoining while the half-times were independent of LET. The majority of dsb were rapidly rejoined even after high-LET irradiation. If fragment-size distribution is not taken into account, both the fraction of breaks rejoined by slow kinetics, and the fraction of unrejoined breaks, can be overestimated when the LET is increased.
Quantifying sources of climate uncertainty to inform risk analysis for climate change decision-making

Quantitative estimates of future climate change and its various impacts are often based on complex climate models which incorporate a number of physical processes. As these models continue to become more sophisticated, it is commonly assumed that the latest generation of climate models will provide us with better estimates of climate change. Here, we quantify the uncertainty in future climate change projections using two multi-model ensembles of climate model simulations and divide it into different components: internal, scenario and model. The contributions of these sources of uncertainty changes as a function of variable, temporal and spatial scale and especially lead time in the future. In the new models, uncertainty intervals for each of the components have increased. For temperature, importance of scenario uncertainty is the largest over low latitudes and increases nonlinearly after the mid-century. It has a small importance for precipitation simulations on all time scales, which hampers estimating the effect which any mitigation efforts might have. In line with current state-of-the-art adaptation approaches, we argue that despite these uncertainties climate models can provide useful information to support adaptation decision-making. Moreover, adaptation decisions should not be postponed in the hope that future improved scientific understanding will result in more accurate predictions of future climate change. Such simulations might not become available. On the contrary, while planning adaptation initiatives, a rational framework for decision-making under uncertainty should be employed. We suggest that there is an urgent need for continued development and use of improved risk analysis methods for climate change adaptation.
A late jet rebrightening revealed from multiwavelength monitoring of the black hole candidate XTE J1752-223

We present optical monitoring of the black hole candidate XTE J1752−223 during its 2009–10 outburst and decay to quiescence. The optical light curve can be described by an exponential decay followed by a plateau, then a more rapid fade towards quiescence. The plateau appears to be due to an extra component of optical emission that brightens and then fades over ∼40 days. We show evidence for the origin of this optical ‘flare’ to be the synchrotron jet during the decaying hard state, and we identify and isolate both disc and jet components in the spectral energy distributions. The optical flare has the same morphology and amplitude as a contemporaneous X-ray rebrightening. This suggests a common origin, but no firm conclusions can be made favouring or disfavouring the jet producing the X-ray flare. The quiescent optical magnitudes are B ≥ 20.6,V ≥ 21.1,R ≥ 19.5,i � ≥ 19.2. From the optical outburst amplitude we estimate a likely orbital period of <22 h. We also present near-infrared (NIR) photometry and polarimetry and rare mid-IR imaging (8–12 µm) when the source is nearing quiescence. The fading jet component, and possibly the companion star, may contribute to the NIR flux. We derive deep mid-IR flux upper limits and NIR linear polarization upper limits. With the inclusion of radio data, we measure an almost flat jet spectral index between radio and optical; Fν ∝ ν ∼+0.05 . The data favour the jet break to optically thin emission to
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Lodging Management

This study examines the effect of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) on managers’ lodging success: human resources management, marketing, financial management, and information technology. The investigation determined that knowledge perceived as important for management success differs from actual KSAs that distinguish senior-level executives from their subordinate middle-level counter-parts. The findings revealed that managers placed highest importance on and were most skilled in human resources management competencies. However, knowledge in financial management appeared to be a stronger indicator of top-level success. Underscoring the importance of financial knowledge was the finding that of all the KSAs being studied, only financial management had a significant, positive relationship with increased compensation. Moreover, financial management appeared to be a key to promotion to top-level positions. The implication of these findings is that educators, trainers, and would-be top executives should pay attention to financial management by ensuring that educational institutions and training programs provide proper coverage of financial techniques and analyses.
Combining trajectory optimization, supervised machine learning, and model structure for mitigating the curse of dimensionality in the control of bipedal robots

To overcome the obstructions imposed by high-dimensional bipedal models, we embed a stable walking motion in an attractive low-dimensional surface of the system’s state space. The process begins with trajectory optimization to design an open-loop periodic walking motion of the high-dimensional model and then adding to this solution a carefully selected set of additional open-loop trajectories of the model that steer toward the nominal motion. A drawback of trajectories is that they provide little information on how to respond to a disturbance. To address this shortcoming, supervised machine learning is used to extract a low-dimensional state-variable realization of the open-loop trajectories. The periodic orbit is now an attractor of the low-dimensional state-variable model but is not attractive in the full-order system. We then use the special structure of mechanical models associated with bipedal robots to embed the low-dimensional model in the original model in such a manner that the desired walking motions are locally exponentially stable. The design procedure is first developed for ordinary differential equations and illustrated on a simple model. The methods are subsequently extended to a class of hybrid models and then realized experimentally on an Atrias-series 3D bipedal robot.
Overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome have evidence of subclinical cardiovascular disease.

CONTEXT Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with insulin resistance (IR) and the metabolic syndrome. There are no adequate data demonstrating significantly increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. In the absence of clinical outcome studies, surrogate markers of early CVD can provide insight into early CVD. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to clarify whether overweight women with PCOS have an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and early CVD, compared with age- and body mass index-matched controls, to determine the contribution of PCOS per se to CVD status. DESIGN AND PATIENTS This was a case control study of 100 overweight women with PCOS and 20 subjects of similar body mass index and age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Noninvasive markers of early CVD [carotid intimal media thickness, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and brachial arterial flow-mediated vasodilation] were measured. Metabolic parameters studied included insulin, glucose, C-reactive protein, lipids, and androgens. RESULTS Subjects with PCOS had elevated testosterone (2.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.1 nmol/liter), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (4.9 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/liter), fasting insulin (19.6 +/- 1.4 vs. 6.8 +/- 0.8 microU/ml), and homeostasis model assessment of IR (4.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.2), compared with controls. In addition, those with PCOS had elevated cholesterol (5.1 +/- 0.1 vs. 4.6 +/- 0.2 mmol/liter) and triglycerides (1.4 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.1 mmol/liter), whereas there were no differences in either C-reactive protein or 24-h ambulatory blood pressure parameters. Subjects with PCOS also had increased arterial stiffness (PWV, 7.4 +/- 0.1 vs. 6.6 +/- 0.2 m/sec) and endothelial dysfunction (flow-mediated vasodilation, 9.8 +/- 0.4 vs. 13.3 +/- 0.9), compared with controls. There was no difference in mean intimal media thickness between the groups. Stepwise regression in PCOS subjects showed that IR and lipids were independent predictors of PWV. CONCLUSION Overweight women with PCOS have increased cardiovascular risk factors and evidence of early CVD, compared with weight-matched controls, potentially related to IR.
The Shape of the Dose–Response Curve for Radiation-Induced Neoplastic Transformation In Vitro: Evidence for an Adaptive Response against Neoplastic Transformation at Low Doses of Low-LET Radiation

Abstract Redpath, J. L. , Liang, D. , Taylor, T. H. , Christie, C. and Elmore, E. The Shape of the Dose–Response Curve for Radiation-Induced Neoplastic Transformation In Vitro: Evidence for an Adaptive Response against Neoplastic Transformation at Low Doses of Low-LET Radiation. Radiat. Res. 156, 700–707 (2001). A dose–response curve for γ-radiation-induced neoplastic transformation of HeLa × skin fibroblast human hybrid cells over the dose range 0.1 cGy to 1 Gy is presented. In the experimental protocol used, the spontaneous (background) frequency of neoplastic transformation of sham-irradiated cultures was compared to that of cultures which had been irradiated with 137Cs γ radiation and either plated immediately or held for 24 h at 37°C prior to plating, for assay for neoplastic transformation. The pooled data from a minimum of three repeat large-scale experiments at each dose demonstrated a reduced transformation frequency for the irradiated compared to the sham-irradiated cells for doses of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 cGy for the delayed-plating arm. The probability of this happening by chance is given by 1/2n, where n is the number of observations (5); i.e., 1/32 ≅ 0.031. This is indicative of an adaptive response against spontaneous neoplastic transformation at least up to a dose of 10 cGy of γ radiation. The high-dose data obtained at 30 and 50 cGy and 1 Gy showed a good fit to a linear extrapolation through the sham-irradiated, zero-dose control. The delayed-plating data at 10 cGy and below showed a statistically significant divergence from this linear extrapolation.
Endoscopic treatment of traumatic basal encephaloceles: a report of 8 cases.

OBJECT Basal encephaloceles are rare entities that can present as congenital diseases; however, traumatic lesions due to head injuries or iatrogenic causes have been described in the literature. In this study the authors aimed to define placement techniques for free grafts in repairing traumatic basal encephaloceles and to describe the long-term effectiveness of endoscopic treatment. METHODS Between September 1997 and December 2006, 8 patients with traumatic encephaloceles underwent endoscopic surgery. A free graft following an underlay (2 cribriform plate and 4 ethmoid fovea defects) or obliteration (2 sphenoid defects) procedure was used as the repair material. RESULTS All traumatic basal encephaloceles with the associated skull base defects and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage were successfully treated via the endoscopic approach. There were no major complications or recurrence of meningitis or leakage of CSF encountered after an average follow-up of 77 months. CONCLUSIONS Long-term follow-up results demonstrated that endoscopic surgery was suitable for the treatment of traumatic basal encephaloceles. The underlay procedure is more appropriate than the overlay procedure in repairing large defects of the anterior skull base. Meticulous manipulations of the endoscope following precise autograft placement are mandatory for the successful repair of traumatic basal encephaloceles.
The political and institutional context of the 2007 Kenyan elections and reforms needed for the future

For many Kenyans the outcome of the 2007 presidential election represented a continuation of the betrayal of the promise made by Mwai Kibaki's government, elected in 2002, that a new Constitution would be drafted which would help to deal with Kenya's governance problems. The consequence was a closely contested election, ethnic division, a flawed election process, and serious post-election violence, which lasted well into 2008. This article analyses the underlying political features of Kenya that led to the election failure itself and the fundamental changes to the Kenyan system, including its Constitution, that are necessary to avert a recurrence of the 2007 election violence in the future.