Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistance to chlorine of freshwater bacterial strains

The disinfectant properties of chlorine have been known for centuries but in the last few years water chlorination has attracted some criticism due to its secondary effects and the increased resistance of bacterial strains to chlorine inactivation. In this paper the kinetics of inactivation by chlorine of different Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial strains isolated from chlorinated water is studied. The Gram‐positive strains were more resistant to chlorine and the behaviour of some of them in the presence of chloramphenicol suggests either the synthesis of unique proteins or aggregation of the bacteria as mechanisms of resistance to inactivation. The concept of Ki, the inactivation rate constant, by comparison with Ks in Michaelis‐Menten enzyme kinetics (considering enzymic saturation), or with Ks in Monod growth kinetics (considering limiting rates of transport and metabolism of substrates), may be an interesting parameter to define microbial resistance to disinfectants and toxics.
Customer Heterogeneity in Service Management

Possible customer heterogeneity is ignored in most customer satisfaction survey analyses, which is surprising given the prominence that customer segmentation has in many other marketing disciplines. In this article, the author examines some segmentation methods that are appropriate for the analysis of customer satisfaction survey data. This helps determine whether segmentation of customers in service environments is worthwhile. If segmentation is worthwhile, the author shows how to deliver targeted delivery to appropriate segments for examples from the airline and telecommunications industries.
Hush Money: The Impact of Rank and File Stock Options on Employee Whistle-Blowing

The Dodd-Frank Act (2010) seeks to encourage whistle-blowing by offering financial rewards to those who bring corporate fraud to light. We hypothesize that firms can counter this legislative action by giving their employees incentives, via rank and file stock options, to remain quiet about financial irregularities. We examine two samples of firms known to have committed financial reporting violations and find that those that grant more rank and file stock options are more likely to avoid employee whistle- blowing, consistent with our hypothesis. Moreover, firms involved in financial reporting violations grant more rank and file stock options relative to a control sample of non-violation firms, pointing to their efforts to discourage whistle-blowing. An investigation into firms' use of broad based cash profit-sharing programs yields similar conclusions.
Endogenous Retinoic Acid Receptor (RAR)-Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) Heterodimers Are the Major Functional Forms Regulating Retinoid-responsive Elements in Adult Human Keratinocytes

We have examined how retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs) at physiological concentrations regulate distinct retinoid-responsive elements, hRARβ2/βRARE (DR5) and rCRBPII/RXRE (DR1), in keratinocytes from human skin, a major retinoid target. In vitro, endogenous RAR and RXRs bound to these elements as heterodimers (RAR•RXR) but not homodimers (RAR•RAR or RXR•RXR). In cultured keratinocytes, all-trans retinoic acid, 9-cis retinoic acid, and CD367 activated βRARE but not RXRE via endogenous RAR•RXR (ED = 2.3, 3.8, and 0.3 nM, respectively) whereas SR11237 showed no significant effect. All-trans retinoic acid, 9-cis retinoic acid, and SR11237 activated RXRE via overexpressed RXR•RXR (ED = 110, 120, and 11 nM, respectively), indicating interconversion between retinoic acid isomers, whereas co-overexpression of RARα or RAR suppressed this activation. Unlike 9cRA, CD367 neither induced formation of nor activated RXR•RXR. Overexpression of RAR or RXR mutated in transactivation domain AF-2 suppressed endogenous receptor activity over βRARE. Our data suggest that 1) in keratinocytes, RAR•RXR-mediated pathway dominates over that mediated by RXR•RXR; 2) RAR-selective CD367 and RXR-selective SR11237 can be used to identify these two distinct pathways, respectively; 3) βRARE is mainly regulated by RAR•RXR, in which RAR alone confers ligand inducibility whereas AF-2 of unliganded RXR is required for transactivation by liganded RAR AF-2; 4) lack of RXRE activity in keratinocytes is due to low endogenous levels of RXR•RXR and inhibition by RAR•RXR; and 5) interaction among RXRs is much lower than that between RAR and RXR.
Does Corporate Governance Matter, Evidence from Earnings Management Practices in Singapore

This paper addresses two questions. First, do good corporate governance practices add values to company or does it lead to higher stock returns in Singapore? Second, does poorly governed listed company in SGX tend to manage their earnings by using discretionary accruals? Following the approach of Gompers et al. (2003), we formed two portfolios consisting of well-governed and poorly governed companies. Well governed companies are able to maintain a higher return relative to poorly governed companies. I also look at the firm valuation from the adoption of corporate governance practices. Our result shows a positive relationship between firm valuation and corporate governance, we find Tobin’s Q to be significantly positively related to corporate governance. However, corporate governance does not necessarily improve firm’s performance. Finally, I also demonstrate that firm’s adoption of stringent corporate governance practices is associated with the magnitude of discretionary accruals, and limits discretion in earning management. Among different categories as prescribed by OECD, firms with best practices in the “Disclosure and transparency” category are associated with lower level of discretionary accruals. Keyword: Corporate Governance, Discretionary Accrual, Earning Management
Free-to-play games : what are gamers paying for?

Free-to-play games are a rather new phenomenon on the world of video games. However they have proved to be immensely popular among many gamers. In this study the purpose was to find out more about the business model of free-to-play games and their content, both free and monetized. To help us study these games a closer look at a few games that offered the player free access to the game was taken. The other purpose of this study was to examine the behaviour and motivations of the gamers themselves. By conducting both a survey and researching previous studies on the gamer's behaviour it was found out that gamers value both functional and visual improvements on the game that they were offering for charge. It was also discovered that players aim to enhance their immersion and enjoyment of the game-play by consuming paid in-game content.
Fabrication of Poly(Aspartic Acid)-Nanogold Modified Electrode and Its Application for Simultaneous Determination of Dopamine, Ascorbic Acid, and Uric Acid

A nanostructured polymer film incorporated gold nanoparticles modified electrode was fabricated. The fabrication process involved a previous electropolymerization of aspartic acid and followed by the eletrodeposition of gold nano-particles on the glassy carbon electrode. The resulting poly (aspartic acid)-nanogold modified electrode (PAA- nano-Au/GCE) was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectros-copy (EIS). A higher catalytic activity was obtained to electrocatalytic oxidation of dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) due to the enhanced peak current and well-defined peak separations compared with three, bare GCE, PAA/GCE and nano-Au/GCE. Simultaneous determination of DA, AA, and UA were studied by voltammetry. The linear range of 5.0 × 10-7 - 1.0 × 10-4 M for DA, 5.0 × 10-6 - 2.0 × 10-3 M for AA and 5.0 × 10-6 - 1.0 × 10-3 M for UA was obtained. The detection limit was calculated for DA, AA and UA as being 6.5 × 10-8 M, 5.6 × 10-7 M and 3.0 × 10-7 M, respectively (S/N = 3). The practical application of the present modified electrode was demonstrated by the determination of DA, AA and UA in calf serum and fetal calf serum samples.
High‐throughput quantification of selenium in individual serum proteins from a healthy human population using HPLC on‐line with isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma‐MS

In this study, a method, based on dual column affinity chromatography hyphenated to isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma–quadrupole MS, was developed for selenium determination in selenoprotein P, glutathione peroxidase, and selenoalbumin in human serum samples from a group of healthy volunteers (n=399). Method improvement was achieved using methanol‐enhanced isotope dilution which resulted in improved sensitivity and removal of isobaric interferences. Although no human serum reference materials are currently certified for their selenium species levels, method development was conducted using human serum reference material BCR 637 and 639 as their Se species content has been reported in the previous studies, and thus comparisons were possible. The mean selenium concentrations determined for the 399 healthy volunteer serum samples were 23±10 ng Se mL−1 for glutathione peroxidase, 49±15 ng Se mL−1 for selenoprotein P and 11±4 ng Se mL−1 for selenoalbumin. These values are found to be in close agreement with published values for a limited number of healthy volunteer samples, and to establish baseline Se levels in serum proteins for an apparently healthy group of individuals, thus allowing for subsequent comparisons with respective values determined for groups of individuals with selenium related health issues, as well as assist in the discovery of potential selenium biomarkers. Also, the relationship between Se serum protein levels and some anthropometric characteristics of the volunteer population were investigated. Additionally, further development of the analytical method used in this study was achieved by adding a size exclusion chromatography column after the two affinity columns via a switching valve. This allowed for the separation of small selenium‐containing molecules from glutathione peroxidase and thus enhanced the overall confidence in its identification.
Effectiveness of a Summer Camp Intervention for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

ABSTRACT Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) significantly affects a child's motor abilities and negatively impacts their self-efficacy and participation in physical activity. Using a task-specific approach and cognitive strategies in a group setting, we designed a summer camp intervention for children with DCD. Aims: Our purpose was to examine the effectiveness of the summer camp in meeting child-chosen functional motor goals and increasing self-efficacy and participation. Methods: This mixed methods study examined performance and satisfaction of child-chosen goals, self-efficacy, and participation of 11 children before and after the camp. Survey and interview data from three children and nine parents were collected to supplement quantitative findings. Results: Statistically significant improvement in performance and satisfaction of child-chosen goals was noted. While no measureable changes in self-efficacy and participation were observed, parents and children reported positive benefits to camp participation, including the confidence to try new activities, being with other children with DCD, and learning more about the disorder. Conclusion: The intensive, group-based summer camp may offer a valuable alternative to improve the functional skills of children with DCD, while providing other notable benefits.
Coordinated action in reverse distribution systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the prerequisites for achieving coordinated action in reverse distribution systems. It is an underlying assumption in distribution, logistics and supply chain management that a higher level of coordination between the actors is superior to a lower, and a higher levels of coordination will in turn lead to increased performance. Coordination requires the actors to implement efficient coordination mechanisms. The separate distribution flows need to be coordinated individually with appropriate coordination mechanisms. Furthermore, actors need to pay close attention to how different coordination mechanisms co‐exist in order to achieve a higher level of coordinated action and superior system performance.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a comparative case study of reverse distribution systems for electrical and electronic products in Norway.Findings – The empirical results indicate that lack of coordination across flows increases costs and redu.
Comparative Lipidomic Analysis of Mouse and Human Brain with Alzheimer Disease*

Background: Lipid dyshomeostasis has been linked to Alzheimer disease (AD). Results: Lipidomic analyses of brain tissue from AD patients reveal region-specific changes in multiple bioactive lipids, some of which are phenocopied in AD mouse models. Conclusion: Lipid anomalies observed in AD may be linked to pathogenesis, including endolysosomal dysfunction. Significance: This study highlights the hypothesis-generating potential of lipidomics and its applicability to other diseases. Lipids are key regulators of brain function and have been increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer disease (AD). Here, a systems-based approach was employed to determine the lipidome of brain tissues affected by AD. Specifically, we used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to profile extracts from the prefrontal cortex, entorhinal cortex, and cerebellum of late-onset AD (LOAD) patients, as well as the forebrain of three transgenic familial AD (FAD) mouse models. Although the cerebellum lacked major alterations in lipid composition, we found an elevation of a signaling pool of diacylglycerol as well as sphingolipids in the prefrontal cortex of AD patients. Furthermore, the diseased entorhinal cortex showed specific enrichment of lysobisphosphatidic acid, sphingomyelin, the ganglioside GM3, and cholesterol esters, all of which suggest common pathogenic mechanisms associated with endolysosomal storage disorders. Importantly, a significant increase in cholesterol esters and GM3 was recapitulated in the transgenic FAD models, suggesting that these mice are relevant tools to study aberrant lipid metabolism of endolysosomal dysfunction associated with AD. Finally, genetic ablation of phospholipase D2, which rescues the synaptic and behavioral deficits of an FAD mouse model, fully normalizes GM3 levels. These data thus unmask a cross-talk between the metabolism of phosphatidic acid, the product of phospholipase D2, and gangliosides, and point to a central role of ganglioside anomalies in AD pathogenesis. Overall, our study highlights the hypothesis generating potential of lipidomics and identifies novel region-specific lipid anomalies potentially linked to AD pathogenesis.
French consumer perception, preference of, and willingness to pay for fresh fruit based on country of origin

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to determine French consumer perceptions and preferences for fresh fruit from different countries. French consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for citrus fruit and the factors affecting WTP are also determined. Design/methodology/approach – An online consumer survey was conducted in France to collect data on consumer perceptions and preferences for fresh fruits from different countries. The contingent valuation method is used to estimate consumer WTP for fresh citrus fruit. A double hurdle model is used to determine the factors that have substantial impact on consumer preferences. Findings – Results show that fresh fruit from China was perceived as the lowest quality, the least safe, and the cheapest among the fruit from various countries. French consumers had the highest stated WTP for fresh fruit from France, followed by fruit from Spain. In addition, consumer WTP for country of origin varies by type of fruit. Research limitations/implications – The contingent valuati.
Causes and Effects of Frequent and Unannounced Electricity Blackouts on the Operations of Micro and Small Scale Industries in Kumasi

The aim of this paper was to examine the causes and effects of the frequent and unannounced electricity blackouts on the operations of micro and small scale industries (MSI) in Kumasi, Ghana. Data from a sample of 320 MSI selected from three industrial clusters in the Kumasi metropolis, revealed that the frequent and unannounced blackouts have caused a deficit of about 5.3% in the quantity of electricity they required for continuous operations. The blackout hours were estimated to last for an average of 10.3 hours per month. As a consequence of the blackouts, about 44% of the MSI spent this duration in redundancy because of lack of alternative sources of electricity but maintained the same labour cost. The remaining 56% of the MSI obtained power from alternative sources which required an average of GH¢15.5 per month to run. The paper concludes that uninterrupted electricity supply is vital for the effectiveness of the MSI.
The Teddy-Bear Effect

Prior research suggests that having a baby face is negatively correlated with success among White males in high positions of leadership. However, we explored the positive role of such “babyfaceness” in the success of high-ranking Black executives. Two studies revealed that Black chief executive officers (CEOs) were significantly more baby-faced than White CEOs. Black CEOs were also judged as being warmer than White CEOs, even though ordinary Blacks were rated categorically as being less warm than ordinary Whites. In addition, baby-faced Black CEOs tended to lead more prestigious corporations and earned higher salaries than mature-faced Black CEOs; these patterns did not emerge for White CEOs. Taken together, these findings suggest that babyfaceness is a disarming mechanism that facilitates the success of Black leaders by attenuating stereotypical perceptions that Blacks are threatening. Theoretical and practical implications for research on race, gender, and leadership are discussed.
Designing near Shannon limit LDPC codes using particle swarm optimization algorithm

This paper presents a new design methodology/process for low-density parity-check codes (LDPC). To minimize the gap to Shannon limit, the particle swarm optimizer is applied to optimize the variable and check node degree distribution lambda and p respectively in case of irregular LDPC codes. discrete fast density evolution (FDE) is used (as the analysis technique) to compute the threshold value of LDPC code and the Shannon limit is evaluated based on Butman and McEliece formula. The results conducted show that, our proposed distributions with low degrees of (lambda, p) outperform other comparable distributions.
Achieving Competitive Advantage Through HR Practices

Globalisation has paved the way to increased competition and has re-established the fact - “survival of the fittest”. Survival and sustainability emerge as key issues to ponder in a competitive environment. Firms are now concentrating in designing activities and practices that give them additional competitive advantage. Human Resource Management has emerged as one such area with the belief that management of people gives a cutting edge for establishing a competitive advantage for a firm. Effective HR practices result in committed workforce, which can contribute towards firms’ growth. Adequate addressing of employee needs reduces attrition rate and hence dedicated and talented employees are retained, which become an asset for the firm. Retention of talented workforce and designing of good HR practices have greatly assisted organisation to achieve competitive advantage over other firms. This paper will highlight few core HR practices undertaken by firms that have resulted in achieving competitive advantage. It will also aim to indicate drivers to achieving competitive advantage through effective HR practices. This study has been conducted in some Organisations that have devised HR practices and have gained positive results.
Optimization of a novel WLAN Simulation Framework for Prototyping Network Applications and Protocols

Over the last few years, various types of wireless local area network (WLAN) infrastructures have been developed and established, taking into account the requirements of different kinds of applications and features, like scalability, robustness, energy-efficiency, and flexibility. The development of software applications, which depend on collaborating services on nodes, becomes more challenging, especially, due to an increasing number of device classes leading to heterogeneous architectures of communication nodes in wireless networks. In this paper, we present several optimizations of ViPMesh, a novel virtual prototyping framework for applications and protocols in IEEE 802.11 networks. We identified limiting issues regarding the guest VM boot time and frame exchange mechanism between guest VM and host system. By implementing a dynamic approach to switch the alternative clock source, we reduce the boot time to a reasonable level. Our second improvement introduces a shared memory buffer as a replacement for virtual serial channels and thus, the precision and performance of the simulation is significantly enhanced. Moreover, we add the capability to manage the emulation of nodes with different instruction set architectures, creating a testing and development environment for applications in wireless networks with heterogeneous platforms.
Staggered Boards and the Value of Voting Rights

This paper examines the impact of staggered boards on the value of voting rights (i.e., the voting premium) estimated using option prices. We find companies with staggered boards have a higher voting premium. Exploiting plausibly exogenous court rulings, we confirm that weakening the effectiveness of staggered boards decreases the voting premium. Given that the voting premium reflects private benefits consumption and associated managerial inefficiencies, our findings are consistent with the entrenchment view of staggered boards. Analyzing the cross-sectional heterogeneity in our sample, we find the entrenchment effect of staggered boards to be particularly pronounced for firms in noncompetitive industries and for mature firms. (JEL G13, G30, G34, K22)
The Evolution of Events in the Australasian Wine Sector

The wine sector in Australasia has developed a number of regional events in order to promote wine and build regional identity. Despite the popularity and long history of these events little research has been carried out on their role for wineries and regions developing wine tourism strategies. The purpose of this project is to examine the use and evolution of regional wine events from a strategic perspective. Based upon seven case studies from Australia and New Zealand the authors argue that over time the nature and emphasis of events change. Preliminary findings indicate that events evolve through a series of stages, ranging from regional awareness through to brand enhancement and customer loyalty. Implications for event organizers and winery management are explored.