Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The enabling environment for sustainable enterprises in Barbados

In June 2007, the International Labour Conference (ILC) discussed the promotion of sustainable enterprises. This calls for the strengthening of the institutions and governance systems which nurture enterprises. Strong and efficient markets need strong and effective institutions. Promoting sustainable enterprises is also about ensuring that human, financial and natural resources are combined equitably and efficiently in order to achieve innovation and enhanced productivity.
Epicardial adipose tissue thickness and its association with adiponectin in metabolic syndrome patients from Mérida, Venezuela.

OBJECTIVE To study the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness and plasma levels of adiponectin in Venezuelan patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty-one patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (study group) and 27 controls were selected and tested for glycemia, lipids, and adiponectin. EAT thickness, ejection fraction, diastolic function, left ventricular mass (LVM), and left atrial volume (LAV) were determined by transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS EAT thickness was greater in metabolic syndrome patients (5.69 ± 1.12 vs. 3.52 ± 0.80 mm; p = 0.0001), correlating positively with body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.661; p = 0.0001); waist circumference (WC) (r = 0.664; p = 0.0001); systolic (SBP) (r = 0.607; p = 0.0001), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = 0.447; p = 0.0001); insulin (r = 0.505; p = 0.0001); Tg/HDL-C ratio (r = 0.447; p = 0.0001), non-HDL-C (r = 0.353; p = 0.007); LAV (r = 0.432; p = 0.001), and LVM (r = 0.469; p = 0.0001). EAT thickness correlated negatively with adiponectin (r = -0.499; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION A significant association exists between EAT thickness and both metabolic syndrome components and adiponectin concentration, a link that might be used as a biomarker for this disease.
Sequence analysis of the major outer membrane protein gene from Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2

The structural gene for the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) from Chlamydia trachomatis was cloned and sequenced. A lambda gt11 recombinant (lambda gt11/L2/33) that contains a portion of the MOMP coding sequence was used to probe a lambda 1059 library constructed from DNA obtained from C. trachomatis serovar L2. Selected lambda 1059 recombinants were mapped with endonuclease restriction enzymes. The MOMP gene was mapped to the 5' end of a BamHI fragment of approximately 9 kilobases. Contiguous endonuclease restriction fragments identified within this region permitted the selection of specific fragments for subcloning and DNA sequencing. The MOMP gene consisted of a 1,182-base-pair open reading frame that encoded 394 amino acids and ended with three stop codons. The known amino-terminal amino acid was preceded by 22 amino acids whose sequence was compatible with a leader or signal sequence. The primary structure of MOMP determined from the translated DNA sequence demonstrated nine cysteine residues and a remarkably homogeneous distribution of charged and hydrophobic residues.
A report of the american society of nuclear cardiology task force on women and heart disease (writing group on perfusion imaging in women)

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), founded in 1993, is a professional medical society whose mission is to foster optimal delivery of nuclear cardiology services through professional education and leadership in the establishment of standards and guidelines for the practice of nuclear cardiology. ASNC will from time to time publish position, policy, or consensus statements that reflect a body of knowledge and clinical evidence for an application of radionuclide imaging techniques in the clinical care of patients with known or suspected heart disease. Position, policy, or consensus statements are approved by the ASNC Board of Directors before publication. This consensus statement will examine the role of myocardial perfusion imaging studies in the diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment of women with known or suspected coronary artery disease.
A Capabilities Perspective on the Effects of Early Internationalization on Firm Survival and Growth

Recent critiques of internationalization process models question the wisdom of delaying internationalization. Internationalizing late allows firms to assemble resources and gain experience but also allows inertia to develop. We resolve this tension by positing that internationalization has differing effects on firm survival and growth. These effects are moderated by organizational age, managerial experience, and resource fungibility. Our framework provides insights into the evolution of capabilities across borders and may be tested and built upon by organization researchers.
The social context of HIV risk behaviour by drug injectors in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

A combined research approach with both quantitative and qualitative methods was used to contextualize risk behaviour among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Ho chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, in April 1997. A total of 630 IDUs (330 inside and 300 outside the rehabilitation centre) were recruited to the study. Very high-risk injecting behaviour among IDUs in the past, including sharing needles, syringes and drug solutions from the same drug pot in shooting galleries, may explain why HIV prevalence among IDUs in HCM has been growing rapidly. IDUs who had in the past injected on the street, used syringes from shooting galleries, were injected by drug dealers and/or joined in needle sharing were more likely to be sharing needles and syringes currently. Condom use was low, and was mainly with female sex workers but not with regular partners. Both IDUs who continue to use shooting galleries and shooting gallery owners should be educated on the necessity of using clean injecting equipment and on how to clean it properly. Co-ordination between ministries and agencies involved in HIV/AIDS and drugs programmes is needed to create policies for supportive environments to bring about changes in both drug use and HIV risk behaviours.
Financial Inclusion in the Middle East and North Africa: Analysis and Roadmap Recommendations

The paper provides an assessment of the state of financial inclusion in the MENA region, and identifies constraints, opportunities, and priorities for significantly improving access to finance. Practical recommendations for improving financial inclusion are outlined. Firstly, governments could agree a Financial Inclusion Strategy that is underpinned by improved data, that has both public and private sector commitment, and that scales up financial access on a large scale, principally through bank accounts. Secondly, the regulators should provide a legal and supervisory framework that enables access to finance to be expanded primarily through banks, but with regulatory space for the use of agents, mobile phone technology, and for a finance company model for microcredit and leasing. Interest rate caps on microloans should be removed, and instead consumer protection and supervisory capacity for microfinance should be strengthened, while prudent competition between financial service providers should be promoted. Thirdly, financial infrastructure needs to continue to be a focus area, and in particular credit information and secured transactions. Finally, barriers to the growth of Islamic financial services should be removed so that they can better meet market demand.
Cytokine Induction by the Hepatitis B Virus Capsid in Macrophages Is Facilitated by Membrane Heparan Sulfate and Involves TLR2

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) core Ag (HBcAg) serves as the structural subunit of the highly immunogenic capsid shell. HBcAg harbors a unique arginine-rich C terminus that was implicated in immune responses induced by the capsid. In this study, we examined the capacity of the HBV capsid to induce proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines in human THP-1 macrophages and the possible underlying mechanism. Full-length HBc capsids, but not ΗΒc-144 capsids lacking the arginine-rich domain of HBcAg, efficiently bound differentiated THP-1 macrophages and strongly induced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12p40. Capsid binding to macrophages and cytokine induction were independent of the RNA associated with the arginine-rich domain. Soluble heparin and heparan sulfate but not chondroitin sulfates greatly diminished cytokine induction through inhibition of capsid binding to THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, serine phosphorylation in the arginine-rich domain modulates capsid binding to macrophages and the cytokine response. Induction of cytokines by the capsid involved activation of NF-κB, ERK-1/2, and p38 MAPK and did not require endosomal acidification. Finally, NF-κB activation by the capsid in HEK 293 cells specifically required expression of TLR2 and was compromised by soluble heparin. Thus, cytokine induction by the HBV capsid in macrophages is facilitated by interaction of its arginine-rich domain with membrane heparan sulfate and involves signaling through TLR2.
Developing effective educational approaches for Liaison Old Age Psychiatry teams: a literature review of the learning needs of hospital staff in relation to managing the confused older patient

ABSTRACT Background: Deficiencies in the knowledge, skills and attitudes of all healthcare professionals working within the general hospital contribute towards the suboptimal care of older hospitalized patients with confusion. In the U.K., policy dictates that Liaison Old Age Psychiatry teams deliver effective education to general hospital clinical staff. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature concerning the learning needs of healthcare professionals in relation to managing confusion in the older patient in order to inform effective educational approaches for Liaison Old Age Psychiatry teams. Methods: A broad range of medical and educational databases were searched. Identified English language studies were selected for further analysis if they had a specific educational focus in the hospital setting and then further subdivided into intervention and naturalistic studies. The impact of intervention studies was evaluated by Kirkpatrick's system. Learning needs, as determined from the naturalistic studies, were mapped to identify themes. Results: 13 intervention studies were identified. Despite a high level of effectiveness for educational interventions, it was unclear what the active components were. A further 23 naturalistic studies were identified; their findings focused on knowledge gaps, diagnostic behaviors and experiences, attitudes and training issues. Few studies specifically researched learning needs or the educational role of liaison teams. Conspicuous by its absence was reference to relevant educational theories. Conclusions: The findings of this review can be incorporated in the planning of local curricula by Liaison Teams in order to design educational strategies. There is a need for further research, especially studies exploring the learning needs of all healthcare professionals.
Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide Mediates Woolly Monkey Hepatitis B Virus Infection of Tupaia Hepatocytes

ABSTRACT Primary Tupaia hepatocytes (PTHs) are susceptible to woolly monkey hepatitis B virus (WMHBV) infection, but the identity of the cellular receptor(s) mediating WMHBV infection of PTHs remains unclear. Recently, sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) was identified as a functional receptor for human hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection of primary human and Tupaia hepatocytes. In this study, a synthetic pre-S1 peptide from WMHBV was found to bind specifically to cells expressing Tupaia NTCP (tsNTCP) and it efficiently blocked WMHBV entry into PTHs; silencing of tsNTCP in PTHs significantly inhibited WMHBV infection. Ectopic expression of tsNTCP rendered HepG2 cells susceptible to WMHBV infection. These data demonstrate that tsNTCP is a functional receptor for WMHBV infection of PTHs. The result also indicates that NTCP's orthologs likely act as a common cellular receptor for all known primate hepadnaviruses.
Metabolic Power of Female Footballers in Various Small-Sided Games with Different Pitch Surfaces and Sizes

Small-sided-games (SSGs) seem to be a useful tool for replicating most types of scenarios found in sport competitions, but it is not that clear in female soccer. Game surface and pitch size seem to affect the intensity of SSGs, but no one has yet analysed the influence of these two variables together. The objective of this research was to analyse the metabolic power demands of various SSGs on possession play without goal-keepers, played on three different surfaces. Sixteen sub-elite female players performed three different four-a-side games (400 m2, 600 m2, and 800 m2) on three different surfaces (ground [GR]; natural grass [NG]; and artificial turf [AT]), recording a total of 96 events. Metabolic variables were recorded through a global positioning system (GPS). The GR condition obtained the lowest outputs for all variables in all of the SSGs. Furthermore, NG resulted in higher outcomes than AT for Average Metabolic Power (SSG 400 [+0.65; p = 0.019]; SSG 600 [+0.70; p = 0.04]); and equivalent distance (SSG 400 [+33.0; p = 0.02]; SSG 600 [+36.53; p = 0.04]). Moreover, SSG 400 obtained lower results than SSG 600 and SSG 800 for both AT and NG. In conclusion, playing on GR reduces the metabolic power of SSGs, While NG seems to be the most suitable surface for attaining highest metabolic responses for sub-elite female players. On the other hand, too big a pitch size may not increase the metabolic demands of the game.
A "string-of-beads" vaccine, comprising linked minigenes, confers protection from lethal-dose virus challenge

We have previously demonstrated that induction of antiviral cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), in the absence of antiviral antibodies, can confer protection against a lethal-dose virus challenge. Here we extend those findings as follows. First, three discrete viral CTL epitopes expressed from minigenes encoding peptides as short as 12 amino acids can be recognized when expressed from recombinant vaccinia virus; second, concentrating on two of the three epitopes, we show that these vaccinia virus recombinants can confer protection in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted manner; third, the minigenes can be fused to generate a "string of beads," and the close proximity of the two epitopes within one oligopeptide does not disrupt recognition of either epitope; fourth, this string-of-beads vaccine, in contrast to the single epitope vaccines, can protect on both MHC backgrounds; and, fifth, CTL to different epitopes may act synergistically, as protection is improved when the vaccine contains more than one CTL epitope for a given MHC background.
Disseminate lupus erythematosus.

DISSEMINATE lupus erythematosus is to be regarded as a systemic disease which in its acute form usually terminates fatally. Cutaneous manifestations do not always predominate; they may be transitory and even in a few cases absent throughout the course of the disease, in which instances one speaks of "lupus erythematosus without cutaneous lesions. " The purpose of this paper is to review the cases of disseminate lupus erythematosus seen at the Mayo Clinic up to 1948. An analysis of 154 cases of disseminate lupus erythematosus up to 1938, together with a review of the literature, was given in "Oxford Medicine. 1 " This survey included a compilation of various studies and papers over a period of years by Goeckerman, Keith and Rowntree, O'Leary, Brunsting and one of us (H. M.). A subsequent report was made in a symposium on lupus erythematosus by Kierland, Montgomery, Stickney, Keith, Slocumb and O'Leary. 2 An
Discordance between conclusions stated in the abstract and conclusions in the article: analysis of published randomized controlled trials of systemic therapy in lung cancer.

PURPOSE Clinicians may read only the abstract of an article to keep abreast of newly published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, discordances have been noticed in summary conclusions in the abstracts and the main body of some articles. This article evaluated such discordances in detail. METHODS RCTs of systemic therapy for lung cancer published between 2004 and 2009 were considered. Conclusions in the body of the articles and those in the abstracts were graded by using a 7-point Likert scale; 1 for strong endorsement of the control arm, 4 for a neutral statement, and 7 for strong endorsement of the experimental arm. Conclusions were classified as discordant if the difference in scores was ≥ 2. χ(2) tests and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with discordance. RESULTS From among 114 eligible RCTs identified (90 for non-small-cell and 24 for small-cell lung cancer), 11 (10%) articles presented discordant conclusions in the abstract and in the body of the articles. Discordance was most common when the experimental arm was strongly supported in the abstract but not in the body of the article (nine of 11; 82%); however, the converse was much less common (two of 11; 18%; P < .001). Intraclass correlations for the two reviewers were ≥ 0.9. The discordances were found to be independent of trial-related factors. CONCLUSION Conclusive statements in the abstract can differ from those in the full text. Clinicians should use caution when they consider making changes in their practice on the basis of reading only the abstract of a published RCT.
Market orientation and business performance: some European evidence

While market orientation has almost been taken for granted by both academics and some practitioners, attempts to define and operationalize the construct have been very limited. Moreover, efforts to link market orientation to business performance have been few and far between. Recent work in the USA has led to the development of a scale to measure market orientation in organizations, and this measure has also been positively linked to performance. Describes efforts to measure the level of market orientation in samples of British and Maltese firms. Confirms the reliability of the measure, and tests some aspects of its validity. While the link between market orientation and firm performance is not a strong one, it is indeed significant. Discusses implications of the studies, and identifies some avenues for further research.
Impediments to Quality Research in Business Education in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions

Research is a systematic investigation towards increasing the sum of human knowledge. Research in businesseducation is aimed at increasing knowledge in the discipline and providing solutions to problems relating tocurriculum, program evaluation and overall improvement in the teaching and learning process. There is no doubt thatvery high quality research in business education would lead to improvement in educational practice which Nigerianeeds direly in order to break into the bracket of the twenty most developed economies in the year 2020. This studyexplored the impediments to the quality of business education research in Nigeria tertiary institutions. The researcherconstructed 32 questionnaire items from research reports relevant to the study. The questionnaires were validatedusing Product Moment Coefficient which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.81. A total of 159 questionnaire itemswere administered on 96, 38 and 25 business educators from Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and universities inNigeria respectively and all the questionnaires were completed and retrieved. The Research Question “what are theimpediments to the quality of business education research in Nigeria tertiary institutions? ” was answered using meanrating and standard deviation. The Hypothesis of no significant difference in the mean responses of businesseducators from Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities regarding the impediments to the quality ofbusiness education research was tested using Analysis of Variance. The study revealed that all the constructs studiedconstituted impediments to the quality of business education research in Nigeria tertiary institutions. It wasrecommended, among others, that researchers in the field of business education should ensure that only qualityinformation is used in the research process so that research results would significantly influence changes in thedirections desired.
Transient Analysis of Creeping Wave Modes Using 3-D FDTD Simulation and SVD Method

Creeping wave modes on smooth structures are of importance in the control of scattering properties, such as radar cross section of such structures. We have shown a novel procedure to examine the excitation of creeping wave modes by plane wave illumination of a perfectly electrically conducting (PEC) cylinder. Detailed information about transients of creeping wave modes and their spatial structure, have been obtained for the first time using Singular Value decomposition (SVD) analysis of 3D Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) data. The transient analysis shows how the amplitudes of different modes vary in time, and how the dominant modes eventually stabilize to the time-harmonic solution given by analytical methods. Although the method is computationally expensive, this technique will be particularly useful for purely transient signals, complex geometries and situations involving spatially-varying material properties such as a plasma shielded object.
The evolving role of supply chain managers in global channels of distribution and logistics systems

Purpose – Supply chains have become a strategic strength to many firms due to the nature of the globalization of business. The past roles of supply chain managers have changed dramatically and now also include various new duties that will enhance firm competitiveness due to their boundary spanning nature and the new focus of learning organizations. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This was a theoretically developed paper exploring trust, learning organizations, and supply chains. Findings – Researchers are now focussing on the relationship among the supply chain network through the paradigm of relational marketing as the governance structures of contractual arrangements globally cannot be anticipated. Originality/value – The research through the lens of relational marketing explores how supply chain managers’ core duties are now compounded by global/cultural nuances in respect to implicit knowledge acquisition and relationship development through strong-form trust.
ANALISA HUBUNGAN BRAND STRATEGY YANG DILAKUKAN GOOTA JAPANESE CHARCOAL GRILL AND CAFE DAN BRAND EQUITY YANG SUDAH DITERIMA KONSUMEN

Goota Japanese charcoal grill and cafe as a new restaurant at PTC-Supermal Pakuwon Indah has done some brand strategies to acquaint its new brand that will create brand equity in the customers' mind. In order to know the brand strategy, the Goota's manager is interviewed, and for knowing the brand equity, customers are chosen to fill in the questionnaire. The result shows there is positive causal relationship between brand strategy (brand positioning, brand identity, brand personality, and brand communication) and brand equity. Abstract in Bahasa Indonesia : Goota Japanese charcoal grill and cafe sebagai restoran baru di PTC-Supermal Pakuwon Indah melakukan brand strategy untuk mengenalkan brandnya, yang nantinya dapat menciptakan brand equity di benak konsumen. Untuk mengetahui brand strategy yang dilakukan Goota, dilakukan wawancara terhadap manager Goota, sedangkan untuk mengetahui brand equity yang sudah diterima konsumen, disebarkan kuisioner kepada para konsumen Goota. Didapatkan hasil bahwa hubungan kausal antara brand strategy (brand positioning, brand identity, brand personality, dan brand communication) dan brand equity adalah positif. Kata kunci: brand strategy, brand equity, brand positioning, brand identity, brand personality, brand communication