Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental Influences and Decision-Making Uncertainty in Export Channels: Effects on Satisfaction and Performance

Exporting is a popular entry strategy into foreign markets, but many firms that could export do not. One barrier to effective exporting may be uncertainty about the foreign environment. This article examines the perceptions of export executives regarding the foreign environment and decision-making uncertainty and their effects on satisfaction and economic performance in the export channel. A mail survey was received from 118 firms involved with exporting agricultural commodities. The results suggest that firms perceive environmental uncertainty and decision-making uncertainty to be greater in export channels than in domestic channels and that these types of uncertainty affect satisfaction and performance. Specifically, environmental dynamism and decision-making uncertainty negatively influenced satisfaction and performance in the export channel, while environmental complexity positively influenced performance. Managerial implications are discussed.
Efficient Cellulase Production by the Filamentous Fungus Acremonium cellulolyticus

Cellulase production was investigated in a culture of a strain of Acremonium cellulolyticus. The medium components were optimized for the improvement of cellulase production. The maximum production of cellulolytic enzymes was obtained in a medium containing (grams per liter) 50 Solka Floc, 5 (NH4)2SO4, 24 KH2PO4, 4.7 potassium tartrate hemihydrate, 1.2 MgSO4·7H2O, 1 Tween 80, 4 urea, 0.01 ZnSO4·7H2O, 0.01 MnSO4·6H2O, and 0.01 CuSO4·7H2O, with a pH of 4.0. In the flask culture, 15.5 filter paper units (FPU)/mL of maximum cellulase activity was obtained, 17.42 FPU/mL in a 7‐L bioreactor, and 13.08 FPU/mL in a 50‐L scale bioreactor for 4–8 d at 30 °C. Average production rates were 1.94 FPU/mL·d in flasks, 2.86 FPU/mL·d in the 7‐L bioreactor, and 2.56 FPU/mL·d in the 50‐L bioreactor. Cellulase production on a small scale was successfully reproduced in the 50‐L pilot scale bioreactor. Saccharification activity from A. cellulolyticus was compared with cellulolytic enzymes produced by other strains. The A. cellulolyticus culture broth had a comparable saccharification yield in comparison with those of other Trichoderma enzymes (GC220 or Cellulosin T2) under the same total cellulase activity. Its saccharification yield (percent of released reducing sugar to used dried substrate) was 60%, and its glucose content was 83%.
In vitro study on tooth enamel lesions related to whitening dentifrice.

BACKGROUND The tooth whitening substances for extrinsic use that are available in Brazil contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Several studies have attributed the appearance of lesions in the enamel morphology, including hypersensitivity, to these substances. Such lesions justify fluoride therapy and application of infrared lasers, among other procedures. However, there is no consensus among researchers regarding the relevance of the severity of lesions detected on the tooth surface. OBJECTIVES The present study was carried out with an aim of evaluating in vitro the effects of the hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide and sodium bicarbonate contained in dentifrice formulations, on human tooth enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS After darkening process in laboratory, human premolars were brushed using dentifrice containing the two whitening substances (Rembrandt - carbamide peroxide and Mentadent - hydrogen peroxide) and the abrasive product (Colgate - sodium bicarbonate). The degree of specimen staining before and after this procedure was determined using spectrophotometry. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to obtain images, which were analyzed to show the nature of the lesions that appeared on the enamel surface. RESULTS The effectiveness of the whitening caused by hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide and the abrasion caused by bicarbonate were confirmed, given that the treated test pieces returned to their original coloration. Based on SEM, evaluation of the enamel surfaces subjected to the test products showed that different types of morphologic lesions of varying severity appeared. CONCLUSIONS Whitening dentifrice containing hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide produced lesions on the enamel surface such that the greatest sequelae were associated with exposure to hydrogen peroxide.
Controlling Scarce Working Time in a Multi-task Incentive Problem§

Even though working time is one of the firm's scarcest resources, there are very few insights into how to optimally control it. In this paper we analyze the optimal allocation of scarce working time to two tasks in a contracting problem. Since each hour devoted to one specific task is not available for the other task, and vice versa, the agent accounts for opportunity cost when allocating his time to the tasks. We analyze this trade-off assuming that the agent's contribution is not contractible, such that a contract must be written based on an alternative measure. Time scarcity restricts total output. At the same time, however, it changes the agent's focus of attention towards the task with the higher performance sensitivity. Thus, by increasing the incentive coefficient the principal induces the agent to shift time from the less sensitive to the more sensitive task. The main contribution of our paper is that we show that time scarcity can improve the congruence of the agent's behavior with the principal's objectives. Under certain conditions an improved alignment of effort under time scarcity offsets the reduction of output and increases the agency's surplus.
DEFINITIVE EXTERNAL-BEAM IRRADIATION IN STAGE T1 AND T2 PROSTATE CANCER

Expert Panel on Radiation Oncology–Prostate: Paul L. Nguyen, MD; Ayal Aizer, MD; Brian J. Davis, MD, PhD; Dean G. Assimos, MD; Anthony V. D'Amico, MD; Steven J. Frank, MD; Alexander R. Gottschalk, MD, PhD; Gary S. Gustafson, MD; I-Chow Joe Hsu, MD; Patrick W. McLaughlin, MD; Gregory Merrick, MD; Seth A. Rosenthal, MD; Timothy N. Showalter, MD; Al V. Taira, MD; Neha Vapiwala, MD; Yoshiya Yamada, MD.
The Devil Is in the Detail: Brain Dynamics in Preparation for a Global–Local Task

When analyzing visual scenes, it is sometimes important to determine the relevant “grain” size. Attention control mechanisms may help direct our processing to the intended grain size. Here we used the event-related optical signal, a method possessing high temporal and spatial resolution, to examine the involvement of brain structures within the dorsal attention network (DAN) and the visual processing network (VPN) in preparation for the appropriate level of analysis. Behavioral data indicate that the small features of a hierarchical stimulus (local condition) are more difficult to process than the large features (global condition). Consistent with this finding, cues predicting a local trial were associated with greater DAN activation. This activity was bilateral but more pronounced in the left hemisphere, where it showed a frontal-to-parietal progression over time. Furthermore, the amount of DAN activation, especially in the left hemisphere and in parietal regions, was predictive of subsequent performance. Although local cues elicited left-lateralized DAN activity, no preponderantly right activity was observed for global cues; however, the data indicated an interaction between level of analysis (local vs. global) and hemisphere in VPN. They further showed that local processing involves structures in the ventral VPN, whereas global processing involves structures in the dorsal VPN. These results indicate that in our study preparation for analyzing different size features is an asymmetric process, in which greater preparation is required to focus on small rather than large features, perhaps because of their lesser salience. This preparation involves the same DAN used for other attention control operations.
Using Ecosystem Service Values to Evaluate Tradeoffs in Coastal Hazard Adaptation

Abstract The benefits of coastal adaptation depend on both the conservation of coastal assets and effects on other ecosystem services. Evaluating these benefits requires approaches that can disentangle values related to the assets that are conserved and the methods through which conservation is achieved. This article illustrates paired theoretical and empirical models designed to quantify values related to the methods and outcomes of coastal adaptation. Particular attention is given to valuation challenges associated with dual outcomes that influence human welfare both directly and indirectly. An illustrative empirical application is drawn from a stated preference, discrete choice experiment implemented in the coastal communities of Waterford and Old Saybrook, Connecticut, United States, grounded in storm and flooding scenarios developed for the Coastal Resilience decision-support platform. Results enable estimation of households’ willingness to pay for outcomes such as the reduction of flood risk for coastal homes and the protection of services from coastal marshes and beaches. These estimates enable the evaluation of tradeoffs in social value related to the use of alternative adaptation strategies. Comparison across communities illustrates how differences in context can lead to variations in values and tradeoffs.
Impact of modernisation on personal values of rural and urban adolescents

The present study investigated the personal values profile and trend of modernization in rural and urban adolescents. It also studied the impact of modernization on personal values of rural and urban adolescents. The total sample consisted of 160 adolescents (i.e. 80 rural and 80 urban) in the age range of 18-20 years belonging to middle and high socio-economic strata. The sample was collected from four colleges of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. SocioEconomic Status Scale by Sharma (2010), Personal Values Questionnaire by Sherry and Verma (2010) and Comprehensive Modernisation Inventory by Ahluwalia and Kalia (2010) were used to find out the various aspects of study. The results revealed that significantly more number of urban adolescents as compared to rural adolescents were found at the medium level of „Religious‟, „Democratic‟ and „Hedonistic‟ values. Urban girls were found more health conscious whereas urban boys were found more democratic in nature. Rural girls as compared to boys were found more social, democratic and had high aesthetic values. The total modernisation profile of rural and urban adolescents showed that rural and urban adolescents were found at medium level of modernization and girls were found significantly more modern in their views as compared to boys. Regression analysis revealed that modernization on „Education‟ and „Parent-child relationship‟ had made a significant contribution in improving personal values profile of rural adolescents whereas, modernization on „Marriage‟ and „Religion‟ had made significant but negative impact on the personal values profile of urban adolescents. The impact of modernisation was found more in rural than on urban adolescents. Further, the impact was found more evident on boys than on girls.
Lasting peace or temporary calm? Rebel group decapitation and civil war outcomes

Existing research has found that killing or capturing rebel group leaders can lead to the termination of civil wars. This paper considers the quality of those terminations, examining how wars end and whether this produces a lasting peace or only a temporary reprieve from violence. Decapitation is expected to weaken rebel groups, shifting the balance of power to the government; however, results suggest that killing or capturing a rebel group leader tends to produce termination through inactivity rather than outright government victories. Decapitation is also found to have no effect on the chances of civil war recurrence. This suggests that the removal of rebel group leaders is effective primarily as a short-term strategy that does not tend to generate a lasting peace.
Corporate governance and no fraud occurrence in organizations: Hong Kong evidence

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine empirically the organizational factors that are associated with the absence of fraud. Design/methodology/approach - Factor analysis using principal component extraction was first employed. Logistic regression was then performed to analyze the survey responses of 253 chief financial officers (CFOs) in Hong Kong. A total of 20 semi-structured interviews were also carried out with CFOs to supplement the research results. Findings - The results indicate that audit committee effectiveness, internal audit effectiveness, the tone at the top managerial level, and ethical guidelines and policies are positively associated with a lack of fraud within organizations. Neither auditors' prior success in fraud detection nor the type of auditor employed is an influential factor in the absence of fraud. These results are interesting and counter those of earlier studies conducted in the USA. Also contradicting prior research, the receipt of unqualified audit reports was not found to be significant in this study. Practical implications - The lack of significance for certain variables, and the counterintuitive nature of some of the results offers opportunities for further research. The results provide auditors with practical insights that will prove useful in the course of their work. Originality/value - This is the first empirical study of its nature to be conducted in Hong Kong, and its results will make an important contribution to the corporate governance and auditing literature, particularly that focused on the Asia-Pacific region. These results also have important implications for the accounting profession and for the corporate governance process within organizations.
Niemann–Pick type C 1 function requires lumenal domain residues that mediate cholesterol-dependent NPC2 binding

Niemann–Pick type C1 (NPC1) protein is needed for cellular utilization of low-density lipoprotein-derived cholesterol that has been delivered to lysosomes. The protein has 13 transmembrane domains, three large lumenal domains, and a cytoplasmic tail. NPC1’s lumenally oriented, N-terminal domain binds cholesterol and has been proposed to receive cholesterol from NPC2 protein as part of the process by which cholesterol is exported from lysosomes into the cytosol. Using surface plasmon resonance and affinity chromatography, we show here that the second lumenal domain of NPC1 binds directly to NPC2 protein. For these experiments, a soluble NPC1 lumenal domain 2 was engineered by replacing adjacent transmembrane domains with antiparallel coiled-coil sequences. Interaction of NPC2 with NPC1 lumenal domain 2 is only detected at acidic pH, conditions that are optimal for cholesterol binding to NPC2 and transfer to NPC1; the pH is also appropriate for the acidic environment where binding would take place. Binding to NPC1 domain 2 requires the presence of cholesterol on NPC2 protein, a finding that supports directional transfer of cholesterol from NPC2 onto NPC1’s N-terminal domain. Finally, human disease-causing mutations in NPC1 domain 2 decrease NPC2 binding, suggesting that NPC2 binding is necessary for NPC1 function in humans. These data support a model in which NPC1 domain 2 holds NPC2 in position to facilitate directional cholesterol transfer from NPC2 onto NPC1 protein for export from lysosomes.
Fabulating animals–human affinity: Towards an ethics of care in Monster Hunt and Mermaid

ABSTRACTWhile independent filmmakers have shown their concerns with ecological crises in light of China's accelerated industrialization, urbanization and economic development through alternative poetics and politics of filmmaking, commercial blockbusters also begin to speak to this emerging topic. Monster Hunt (2015) and Mermaid (2016) are not only fictitious tales of imaginary creatures but allegories of animal rights and environmentalist movements in China. Beyond the cute images of the radish-like creature Wuba and the cruel extermination of mythical mermaids, these two comic films address to eco-critical issues such as animal welfare, the dilemma of meat-eating, conservation of nature and endangered species, urbanization and the destruction of natural environment as well as the critique of speciesism and anthropocentrism. By studying the inter-species affective sphere mediated by kitschy visual narratives, this paper argues that the themes of domestication and abandonment, environmental destruction an.
A novel iron‐ and copper‐binding protein in the Lyme disease spirochaete

Iron and copper are transition metals that can be toxic to cells due to their abilities to react with peroxide to generate hydroxyl radical. Ferritins and metallothioneins are known to sequester intracellular iron and copper respectively. The Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi does not require iron, but its genome encodes a ferritin‐like Dps (DNA‐binding protein from starved bacteria) molecule, which has been shown to be important for the spirochaete's persistence in the tick and subsequent transmission to a new host. Here, we show that the carboxyl‐terminal cysteine‐rich (CCR) domain of this protein functions as a copper‐binding metallothionein. This novel fusion between Dps and metallothionein is unique to and conserved in all Borrelia species. We term this molecule BicA for Borrelia iron‐ and copper‐binding protein A. An isogenic mutant lacking BicA had significantly reduced levels of iron and copper and was more sensitive to iron and copper toxicity than its parental strain. Supplementation of the medium with iron or copper rendered the spirochaete more susceptible to peroxide killing. These data suggest that an important function of BicA is to detoxify excess iron and copper the spirochaete may encounter during its natural life cycle through a tick vector and a vertebrate host.
Effects of a melanogenic bicyclic monoterpene diol on cell cycle, p53, TNF‐α, and PGE2 are distinct from those of UVB

Purpose: Bicyclic monoterpene (BMT) diols are small‐molecule compounds that mimic ultraviolet radiation (UVR) by inducing melanogenesis. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 2,2‐dimethyl‐3‐propanyldiol‐norbornane (AGI‐1140), a novel BMT diol, and ultraviolet B (UVB) on additional cellular responses.
Chronic complications and mortality in community‐based patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults: the Fremantle Diabetes Study

Aims To compare (i) the prevalence and incidence of chronic complications and (ii) cardiac and all‐cause mortality in community‐based patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) with those in Type 2 diabetic patients without antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD).
The estimation of relative site variability among aligned homologous protein sequences

MOTIVATION Maximum likelihood-based methods to estimate site by site substitution rate variability in aligned homologous protein sequences rely on the formulation of a phylogenetic tree and generally assume that the patterns of relative variability follow a pre-determined distribution. We present a phylogenetic tree-independent method to estimate the relative variability of individual sites within large datasets of homologous protein sequences. It is based upon two simple assumptions. Firstly that substitutions observed between two closely related sequences are likely, in general, to occur at the most variable sites. Secondly that non-conservative amino acid substitutions tend to occur at more variable sites. Our methodology makes no assumptions regarding the underlying pattern of relative variability between sites. RESULTS We have compared, using data simulated under a non-gamma distributed model, the performance of this approach to that of a maximum likelihood method that assumes gamma distributed rates. At low mean rates of evolution our method inferred site by site relative substitution rates more accurately than the maximum likelihood approach in the absence of prior assumptions about the relationships between sequences. Our method does not directly account for the effects of mutational saturation, However, we have incorporated an 'ad-hoc' modification that allows the accurate estimation of relative site variability in fast evolving and saturated datasets.
Membrane defects and genetic redundancy: Are we at a turning point for DYT1 dystonia?

Heterozygosity for a 3‐base pair deletion (ΔGAG) in TOR1A/torsinA is one of the most common causes of hereditary dystonia. In this review, we highlight current understanding of how this mutation causes disease from research spanning structural biochemistry, cell science, neurobiology, and several model organisms. We now know that homozygosity for ΔGAG has the same effects as Tor1aKO, implicating a partial loss of function mechanism in the ΔGAG/+ disease state. In addition, torsinA loss specifically affects neurons in mice, even though the gene is broadly expressed, apparently because of differential expression of homologous torsinB. Furthermore, certain neuronal subtypes are more severely affected by torsinA loss. Interestingly, these include striatal cholinergic interneurons that display abnormal responses to dopamine in several Tor1a animal models. There is also progress on understanding torsinA molecular cell biology. The structural basis of how ΔGAG inhibits torsinA ATPase activity is defined, although mutant torsinAΔGAG protein also displays some characteristics suggesting it contributes to dystonia by a gain‐of‐function mechanism. Furthermore, a consistent relationship is emerging between torsin dysfunction and membrane biology, including an evolutionarily conserved regulation of lipid metabolism. Considered together, these findings provide major advances toward understanding the molecular, cellular, and neurobiological pathologies of DYT1/TOR1A dystonia that can hopefully be exploited for new approaches to treat this disease. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Impaired recovery of dysferlin-null skeletal muscle after contraction-induced injury in vivo

The protein, dysferlin, mediates sarcolemmal repair in vitro, implicating defective membrane repair in dysferlinopathies. To study the role of dysferlin in vivo, we assessed contractile function, sarcolemmal integrity, and myogenesis before and after injury from large-strain lengthening contractions in dysferlin-null and control mice. We report that dysferlin-null muscles produce higher contractile torque, and are equally susceptible to initial injury but recover from injury more slowly. Two weeks after injury, control muscles retain fluorescein dextran and do not show myogenesis. Dysferlin-null muscles do not retain fluorescein dextran, and show necrosis followed by myogenesis. Our data indicate that recovery of control muscles from injury primarily involves sarcolemmal repair whereas recovery of dysferlin-null muscles primarily involves myogenesis without repair and long-term survival of myofibers.