Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DECISION-MAKING UNCERTAINTY, NEED FOR COGNITIVE CLOSURE, AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE

Most firms must acquire materials or services from their suppliers. They use these materials or services, add value to them, and sell them to others. Supply disruptions, commonly known as the bullwhip effect, have been a major challenge facing supply chain firms. Although previous research of operational or structural causes of supply disruptions or supply disruption risk created by situational factors and buyer perceptions and associated impacts on supply chain performance has been conducted, it has not linked the relationship of decision-making uncertainty and need for cognitive closure (NFCC) with impacts on SCP. This study identifies and enhances the current operations management (OM) model by creating a new construct (consolidated buyer decision-making uncertainty (DMUΣ)), and integrating the existing construct (NFCC), to model behavioral impacts on supply chain performance (SCP). It references and builds on over 120 literature sources. It targets purchasing managers that are extensively involved in the decision-making processes for purchasing decisions and are responsible for managing supply disruption risk. This study explores the individual’s effect on supply chain dynamics by analyzing the information search behavior of supply chain members in a complex decision process.
Incidence of Synchronous and Metachronous Pancreatic Carcinoma in 168 Patients with Branch Duct Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm

Background/Aims: Although branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas (BD-IPMN) are being diagnosed with increasing frequency, the incidence of concomitant pancreatic carcinoma (PC) is not well known. We investigated the incidence and clinical features of synchronous and metachronous PC in patients with BD-IPMN. Methods: We studied 168 BD-IPMN patients diagnosed by various imaging modalities, including endoscopic retrograde pancreatography, between 1990 and 2008. We reviewed the medical records and clinical features in both patients developing and not developing PC. The diagnosis of PC was histologically verified in all patients. Results: PC was observed in 9 (5.4%) of 168 patients. Five were synchronously detected at the time of BD-IPMN diagnosis, whereas four were metachronously identified during the follow-up period. All PCs occurred in regions separate from the BD-IPMN lesion. All PCs represented histologically invasive ductal adenocarcinomas, whereas the BD-IPMN lesion was diagnosed as adenoma. Patients developing PC were significantly older than patients not developing PC (p = 0.017). The diameters of the BD-IPMN lesions and main pancreatic ducts were significantly smaller in patients developing PC than patients not developing PC (p = 0.013 and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: It was not infrequent for PC to occur in the pancreas with BD-IPMN. Particular attention should therefore be paid to the development of PC, even in low-risk BD-IPMN, as well as to changes in BD-IPMN.
Associations between visual attention, implicit and explicit attitude and behaviour for physical activity

The current study explored associations between previous physical activity and both implicit and explicit attitudes, as well as visual attention and activity motivation (intention). Analyses were performed on participants initially unaware of the physical activity focus of the study (N = 98). Higher levels of physical activity were associated with positive implicit attitudes and an attentional bias towards exercise cues. There was a quadratic (‘U’ shaped) relationship between implicit attitude and attention: the more extreme individuals’ implicit attitudes towards exercise (positive or negative) the greater their attentional bias to exercise cues. Furthermore, explicit attitude moderated the relationship between attentional bias and physical activity: attentional bias to exercise cues was associated with higher levels of physical activity only for those who had a strong positive explicit attitude. Findings suggested that implicit cognitions are linked with previous physical activity. Future research should consider strategies for strengthening positive implicit and explicit attitudes and directing attention to cues signalling healthy behaviour.
Semisynthesis and Application of Carboxyfluorescein-Labelled Biologically Active Human Interleukin-8

Abstract Human interleukin 8 (hIL-8), a neutrophil-activating and chemotactic cytokine, is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of a large number of neutrophil-driven inflammatory diseases. This cytokine belongs to the family of CXC chemokines, mediating the response through binding to the seventransmembrane helical G protein-coupled receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. For the first time, we employed the expressed protein ligation (EPL) strategy to chemokine synthesis and subsequent modification. The ligation site was chosen with respect to the position of four cysteine residues within the hIL-8 sequence. Ligation with synthetic peptides that carry cysteine at their N-termini resulted in fulllength hIL-8 and the specifically carboxyfluoresceinlabelled analogue [K69(CF)]hIL-8(1 77). [K69(CF)]hIL-8(1-77) was fully active as shown by inhibition of cAMP production. Furthermore, this analogue was used to study receptor internalisation in human promyelotic HL60 cells that express CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors. Binding and quenching studies were performed on HL60 membranes and suggest that the Cterminus of IL-8 is accessible to solvent in the receptor-bound state. Thus, we introduce here a powerful approach that allows the site-specific incorporation of chemical modifications into the sequence of chemokines, which opens new avenues for studying IL-8 function.
Relation between Perceived Barrier Profiles, Physical Literacy, Motivation and Physical Activity Behaviors among Parents with a Young Child

Objectives: to reveal distinct subgroups of parents by their perception of 6 types of physical activity barriers and challenges (i.e., lack of time, poor health, lack of company, lack of facilities, childcare responsibility, lack of motivation), and examine its relation with related constructs. Design: cross-sectional survey data. Method: the sample consisted of 424 parents who had at least 1 child of primary school age. Latent profile analysis was conducted to identify latent subgroups within participants. Group differences on physical literacy, autonomous motivation, and self-report physical activity (PA) levels were explored. Results: a four-profile solution was obtained from latent profile analysis, labelled as: “Struggling” (29.0%), “Family burden” (41.3%), “Lazy” (13.0%), and “Barriers free” (16.7%). The “Barriers free” profile experienced the least difficulties with physical activity, but the “Struggling” profile suffered the most severe barriers and challenges. “Family burden” and “Lazy” profiles demonstrated qualitative differences on one or two given challenges. Significant group differences on physical literacy, autonomous motivation, and PA levels were found, showing the “Barriers free” profile as the most robust and adaptive group of parents. Conclusions: the findings suggest that it is common for a substantial portion of parents to experience multiple barriers and challenges to a relatively high degree. Intervention on raising parent’s physical literacy to reduce barriers and sustain their motivation may be a target for intervention.
Evaluation of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in Ilama crias.

OBJECTIVE To investigate glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in llama crias. ANIMALS 7 llamas (age range, 14 to 30 days). PROCEDURE On each of 2 sequential days, crias were administered glucose (0.5 g/kg) via rapid i.v. injection. On 1 day (randomly determined for each cria), regular insulin (0.2 U/kg) or 0.9% NaCl solution (0.002 mL/kg) was administered i.v. 15 minutes after glucose administration. Blood samples were collected before (baseline) and at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after glucose administration for determination of plasma glucose and insulin concentrations; fractional turnover rates and plasma half-life of glucose were calculated. The data were compared over time and between days (ie, between glucose treatments with and without insulin administration). RESULTS A peak plasma glucose concentration of 342 +/- 47 mg/dL was detected at 5 minutes after glucose administration and llamas cleared glucose from plasma within 60 minutes; at 15 minutes, plasma insulin concentration attained a peak value of 33 +/- 13 microU/mL (ie, triple the baseline value). During the 15- to 45-minute interval, fractional turnover rate of glucose was 1.10 +/- 0.24%/min and plasma half-life was 65.7 +/- 13.4 minutes. Insulin significantly increased glucose turnover and resulted in hypoglycemia within 75 minutes of administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Healthy immature llamas have glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity superior to that of adults. However, whether sick crias retain the pancreatic sufficiency and tissue responsiveness that are likely responsible for the rapid glucose clearance in healthy individuals is not known.
Towards Shape Analysis in 2 LS

Many low-level programs work with dynamic data structures on the heap (such as linked lists), which are often a source of bugs. Formal analysis of the shape of these structures can help finding errors or, on the contrary, prove the correctness of a program. We present the main principles behind 2LS, a program analysis framework for C programs, which is based on automatic invariant inference using an SMT solver, and a sketch of a solution that we proposed to the integration of shape analysis into this framework. The proposed solution includes a way how the shape of a program heap can be described using logical formulae and how a first-order SMT solver can be used to infer loop invariants and function summaries for each function of the analysed program. Our approach is based on pointer access paths that describe the shape of the heap by expressing the reachability of heap objects from pointer-typed program variables. The information obtained from the analysis can be used to prove various properties of programs manipulating dynamic data structures, such as the fact that the shape of a linked list does not change after performing an operation that traverses the list and writes data into each node.
Protocol for mitomycin C use in glaucoma surgery.

PURPOSE To evaluate the results of a protocol described for mitomycin C (MMC) use in trabeculectomy or combined surgery (phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy). METHODS A total of 143 eyes (60 trabeculectomies and 83 combined surgeries) of 124 patients were divided into four groups: group 1 (without MMC); group 2 (with 0.1 mg/ml MMC); group 3 (with 0.2 mg/ml MMC), and group 4 (with 0.4 mg/ml MMC). Two-minute MMC was used in every case in groups 2, 3 and 4. The results were analysed after 1 year of follow-up. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and complications were evaluated. Successful IOP control was defined when IOP was <21 mmHg and <16 mmHg if advanced glaucoma was present, always without additional medical treatment. RESULTS Mean preoperative IOP decreased from 24.60 mmHg (SD 1.40 mmHg) to 13.47 mmHg (SD 0.37 mmHg) (p < 0.00001), 12 months postoperatively. Control in IOP was achieved in 79.02% of eyes. No significant differences were found in final mean IOP values (p > 0.196) or in postoperative complications (p > 0.120) in groups 2, 3 and 4. CONCLUSION With the protocol described, a selection of concentration of MMC has been made in different clinical forms of glaucoma. No significant differences in IOP control and postoperative complications were noticed among the groups.
Investigating and classifying clients' satisfaction with business incubator services

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that a business incubation/incubator program is an enterprise development strategy, aimed at accelerating the process of formation, development, survivability and growth of new enterprises by providing those new enterprises (clients) with a wide range of business assistance including physical facilities, business counselling and networking. This paper presents results of a research conducted to investigate the level of satisfaction/dissatisfaction of the clients with the provision of those assistance services.Design/methodology/approach – In this paper the level of clients' satisfaction/dissatisfaction with a service is calculated using a proposed framework in terms of the mean difference between the importance of the service and the effectiveness of incubator management in providing the respective service as perceived by the clients.Findings – The results in this paper indicate that clients were generally more satisfied with facility related services than th.
Organizational models for the major agri-food cooperative groups in the European Union

In this paper, through the analysis of the organizational structure of the 20 largest cooperative groups in the European Union in four sectors (dairy, meat, horticulture and supplies; 80 in all), five organizational models were established, and their economic and financial characterization is provided. In these five organizational models, two groups of entities were analyzed differently: entities which, during their development have created a business corporation (with more or less participation of the cooperative or its members) and entities which have continued with a more traditional model (federated or not); to test whether the creation of business corporations has caused an increase in their size or financial stability, and if it has allowed them to improve their cost efficiency and profitability.
Optimal VWAP Tracking

We consider the problem of finding a strategy that tracks the volume weighted average price (VWAP) of a stock, a key measure of execution quality for large orders used by institutional investors. We obtain the optimal, dynamic, VWAP tracking strategy in closed form in a model with general price and volume dynamics and show that it can be extended to incorporate proportional transaction costs. We build a model of intraday volume using the Trade and Quote dataset to empirically test the strategy, both without trading costs and when trading has temporary effects that include the bid-ask spread and depth of the order book, and permanent effects that reflect the potential information content of trades. We find that the implementation cost of the strategy we propose is lower than the cost charged by brokerage houses.
Excursus of Studies Concerning the Cause-and-Effect Relation between Anogenital Warts / Cervical Cancer and the Human Papilloma Virus

The implementation of results and principles of basic sciences into practical medicine is defined as translational medicine. History of discoveries concerning genital warts and cervical cancer and attempts to determining the viral origin of these diseases is very obvious case to demonstrate an impact of translational research on our routine. Therefore the present review aims to highlight milestone studies that have been focusing on the cause-and-effect relation of anogenital warts and the human papilloma virus. Furthermore, it aims to shed light on the outstanding scientists and physicians who have been passing the baton throughout the ages. Indeed, the impact of basic sciences and scholars on physicians’ routine is not to be underestimated.
Initial Evaluation of SAR Capabilities in UAV Multicopter Platforms

Airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors have been commonly used during the last decades to monitor different phenomena in medium-scale areas of observation, such as object detection and characterization or topographic mapping. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a cost-effective solution that offers higher operational flexibility than airborne systems to monitor these types of scenarios. The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya has developed the first fully polarimetric SAR system at X-band integrated into a small UAV multicopter platform (UAV MP). The sensor, called AiR-based remote sensing, has been integrated into the platform overcoming restrictions of weight, space, robustness, and power consumption. To demonstrate the validity of the developed system, some measurement campaigns have been conducted in the outskirts of Barcelona, Spain.
Alteration of ghrelin/obestatin ratio in adolescence with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Abstract Ghrelin, an endoggenous for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, has been shown to participate in the regulation of energy homeostasis and pituitary hormone secretion. Obestatin, encoded by the same gene as ghrelin, is described as a physiological opponent of ghrelin. Ghrelin and obestatin are altered in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by insulin resistance and pituitary hormone secretion disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate ghrelin/obestatin imbalance in relation to insulin resistance and pituitary hormone in adolescence with PCOS. This restrospective case–control study included 33 adolescence with PCOS and 38 control adolescence. Ghrelin and obestatin concentrations in serum were determined by RIA, and the serum fasting glucose and Insulin were determined by the glucose oxidase color method and INS-EASIA. The serum LH and FSH were measured by highly specific hemiluminescence immunoassays. We found that the serum ghrelin levels and ghrelin/obestatin ratio were significant lower in PCOS group than in control group, and the serum obestatin levels were significant higher in PCOS group than in control group. The ghrelin/obestatin ratios were negatively correlation with LH/FSH ratio and insulin resistant index in PCOS group. The findings of this study suggest that ghrelin/obestatin imbalance may play a role in pathogenesis of adolescent PCOS.
Do HIV-positive adult immigrants need to be screened for measles–mumps–rubella and varicella zoster virus immunization?

A systematic screening for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in HIV-positive adult immigrants in Spain was evaluated, and factors associated with MMR and VZV vaccines' indication were studied. Every HIV-positive immigrant was tested for VZV and MMR-IgG. MMR vaccine was indicated to patients with lymphocytes CD4+ >200 cells/mm3 and a negative measles-IgG, a negative mumps-IgG and/or a negative rubella-IgG. VZV vaccine was indicated to every VZV-IgG negative patient with CD4+ >400 cells/mm3. In total, 289 patients were screened; seroprevalence was 95.2%, 92.2%, 70.3% and 89.3% for VZV, measles, mumps and rubella IgG, respectively. Having a negative VZV-IgG was statistically associated with coming from sub-Saharan Africa (prevalence ratio [PR]: 6.52; 95% CI: 1.71–24.84; p=0.006), while having secondary education was a protective factor (PR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.07–0.97; p=0.045). Fourteen patients (4.8%) had indication of VZV vaccine; vaccination was feasible in 21.4% of them at first visit. Eighty-one patients (29.7%) had indication of MMR vaccine, most of them due to mumps-IgG negative (53.1%) or rubella-IgG negative (24.7%). Age < 30 years at first visit was the only factor statistically associated with MMR vaccine indication (PR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.02–2.11; p=0.04). According to CD4+ cell counts, vaccination was feasible in 71.6% of patients at first visit. In conclusion, more than a third of HIV-infected immigrant patients are susceptible to at least one easily preventable infectious disease. Especial attention should be given to immigrant women of childbearing age.
Unintended effects of incentivizing consumers to recommend a favorite brand

Marketers often use incentives such as coupons, rewards or special membership discounts in order to motivate consumers to purchase or recommend a particular brand. This practice is based on the underlying assumption that an increase in incentives will lead to an increase in consumer response – an idea which has been at the core of traditional economic thinking for decades. Some psychologists have claimed, however, that under specific conditions an increase in incentives can reduce (rather than increase) one's willingness to perform the behavior which is being incentivized. If materialized, the possibility that extrinsic incentives may diminish consumer willingness to recommend a favorite brand could have important theoretical and practical consequences in the context of word-of-mouth or buzz marketing. This study tests that possibility in the context of an experiment about Apple computers, a favorite brand among US college students. Participants were asked to recommend the brand to a friend (1) in absence of any monetary reward and (2) for a small monetary incentive. Students who were promised a small monetary reward experienced a decrease in intrinsic motivation and wrote shorter recommendations than those who were not promised any incentives. Data also suggest that the quality of the recommendation may decrease when incentives are offered. The results are discussed in line of their possible theoretical and practical significance.
Progressive developmental restriction, acquisition of left-right identity and cell growth behavior during lobe formation in mouse liver development

To identify cell-based decisions implicated in morphogenesis of the mammalian liver, we performed clonal analysis of hepatocytes/hepatoblasts in mouse liver development, using a knock-in allele of Hnf4a/laacZ. This transgene randomly undergoes a low frequency of recombination that generates a functional lacZ gene that produces β-galactosidase in tissues in which Hnf4a is expressed. Two types of β-galactosidase-positive clones were found. Most have undergone three to eight cell divisions and result from independent events (Luria–Delbrück fluctuation test); we calculate that they arose between E8.5 and E13.5. A second class was mega-clones derived from early endoderm progenitors, generating many descendants. Some originated from multi-potential founder cells, with labeled cells in the liver, pancreas and/or intestine. A few mega-clones populate only one side of the liver, indicating hepatic cell chirality. The patterns of labeled cells indicate cohesive and often oriented growth, notably in broad radial stripes, potentially implicated in the formation of liver lobes. This retrospective clonal analysis gives novel insights into clonal origins, cell behavior of progenitors and distinct properties of endoderm cells that underlie the formation and morphogenesis of the liver. Highlighted article: A retrospective clonal analysis of mouse liver development reveals progressive developmental restriction, the acquisition of chirality and distinct cell growth behaviors.
Consumers' personal values and sales promotion preferences effect on behavioural intention and purchase satisfaction for consumer product

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of Malaysian consumers' personal values and sales promotion preferences on their overall behavioural intention and purchase satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 1,300 questionnaires were distributed and collected by hand through hired enumerators in 13 different states in Malaysia (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and Terengganu). This research was carried out for four different type of consumer product (convenience, shopping, specialty/luxury and unsought product). Data were analysed using General Linear Model-Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and General Linear Model-Univariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to test for difference between independent and dependent variables. Findings – The findings suggest that sales promotion technique preferences will have an impact on consumers' behavioural intention and purchase satisfaction for all the p.