Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diffusion, permeation, or enzyme limitation: A probe for the kinetics of enzyme induction

The utilization of an exogenous substrate by enzyme inside a bacterial cell can be limited by diffusion up to the cell, penetration of the cell, diffusion within the cell, and/or attack by internal enzyme. For small molecular weight substrates such as galactosides, and for bacteria such as Escherichia coli the diffusion steps are not rate limiting even with the permeases fully induced and the external concentration of substrate low. In permeaseless organisms with more than about 20 enzyme molecules per cell, permeation of O‐nitrophenyl‐β‐D‐galactoside through the membrane is limiting. Thus, a single initiation of transcription of a lactose message suffices to yield enough enzyme molecules to switch an uninduced cell from enzyme limitation to permeability limitation. Subsequent initiations change the cellular activity very little. This transition can be followed by assaying enzyme activity of both intact and lysed cell suspensions. In this way the induction response amongst cells in growing populations at high inducer concentrations has been found to be uniform. It was found that nearly all of the cells from balanced growing culture are immediately inducible even with doubling times as short as 7.6 hrs. At 24 hrs about 1/3 of the cells are inert at any time, but all cells synthesize enzyme within a 3‐hour period. At low inducer concentration or in the present of catabolite repressor the rate of initiation is greatly decreased; this leads to a non uniform distribution of enzyme within the cells, which is readily detected by the experimental technique. In addition to developing the kinetics for enzyme contained in cells, the distribution of the enzyme among uninduced bacteria is presented.
Trust inChinese agri-food cooperatives: A games approach

Base on a games approach, we empirically test the trust among farmers and between farmers and cooperatives. We design three games, called trust game, dictator games and voluntary contribution mechanism. We conduct all three games with 136 farmers from four Chinese agri-food cooperatives in Jiangsu Province. Results revealed that there are significant differences of trust level between genders of cooperative members and performance of the cooperatives. The results obtained from this study will help to improve the understanding of the current situation of trust in Chinese agric-food cooperatives and provide several policy implications.
Blood flow and oxygen consumption in active soleus and gracilis muscles in cats.

The results of the present study indicate that, although there are quantitative differences, there are no fundamental, qualitative differences in the vascular and metabolic responses to muscle contraction between slow-twitch soleus muscle and fast-twitch gracilis muscle in cats. Vascularly isolated muscles were perfused under free-flow conditions and were stimulated to contract isometrically for 12 min. Venous outflow was measured with a drop counter. Resting blood flow (6.3 +/- 1.3 ml . min-1 . 100 g-1) and oxygen consumption (0.27 +/- 0.04 ml O2 . min-1 . 100g-1) in soleus muscle did not differ significantly from the respective values in gracilis muscle. Blood flow increased by as much as sixfold above control values in both soleus and gracilis muscles in response to muscle contraction. Oxygen consumption increased linearly as a function of muscle performance in both muscles. However, the oxygen cost per kilogram of force developed was about threefold greater in gracilis compared with soleus muscle. The lower oxygen cost of contraction, coupled with an apparent maximal oxygen consumption twice that of gracilis muscle, enabled soleus muscle to maintain a greater level of muscle performance.
ANALYSIS OF SHIPMENT CONSOLIDATION IN THE LOGISTICS SUPPLY CHAIN

Shipment Consolidation (SCL) is a logistics strategy that combines two or more orders or shipments so that a larger quantity can be dispatched on the same vehicle to the same market region. This dissertation aims to emphasize the importance and substantial cost saving opportunities that come with SCL in a logistics supply chain, by offering new models or by improving on the current body of literature. Our research revolves around “three main axes” in SCL: Single-Item Shipment Consolidation (SISCL), Multi-Item Shipment Consolidation (MISCL), and Pricing and Shipment Consolidation. We investigate those topics by employing various Operations Research concepts or techniques such as renewal theory, dynamic optimization, and simulation. In SISCL, we focus on analytical models, when the orders arrive randomly. First, we examine the conditions under which an SCL program enables positive savings. Then, in addition to the current SCL policies used in practice and studied in the literature, i.e. Quantity-Policy (Q-P), Time-Policy (T-P) and Hybrid Policy (H-P), we introduce a new one that we call the Controlled Dispatch Policy (CDP). Moreover, we provide a cost-based comparison of those policies. We show that the Q-P yields the lowest cost per order amongst the others, yet with the highest randomness in dispatch times. On the other hand, we also show that, between the service-level dependent policies (i.e. the CD-P, H-P and T-P), H-P provides the lowest cost per order, while CD-P turns out to be more flexible and responsive to iii dispatch times, again with a lower cost than the T-P. In MISCL, we construct dispatch decision rules. We employ a myopic analysis, and show that it is optimal, when costs and the order-arrival processes are dependent on the type of items. In a dynamic setting, we apply the concept of time-varying probability to integrate the dispatching and load planning decisions. For the most common dispatch objectives such as cost per order, cost per unit time or cost per unit weight, we use simulation and observe that the variabilities in both cost and the optimal consolidation cycle are smaller for the objective of cost per unit weight. Finally on our third axis, we study the joint optimization of pricing and timebased SCL policy. We do this for a priceand time-sensitive logistics market, both for common carriage (transport by a public, for-hire trucking company) and private carriage (employing one’s own fleet of trucks). The main motivation for introducing pricing in SCL decisions stems from the fact that transportation is a service, and naturally demand is affected by price. Suitable pricing decisions may influence the order-arrival rates, enabling extra savings. Those savings emanate from two sources: Scale economies (in private carriage) or discount economies (in common carriage) that come with SCL, and additional revenue generated by employing an appropriate pricing scheme. Throughout the dissertation, we offer numerical examples and as many managerial insights as possible. Suggestions for future research are offered.
UNRELATED CORD BLOOD TRANSPLANT EXPERIENCE BY THE PEDIATRIC BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANT CONSORTIUM

Cord blood (CB) has emerged as a potential source of hematopoietic stem cells for patients who are in need of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The authors analyzed the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium's (PBMTC) data of consecutive unrelated CB transplants performed during the initial 2 years of using placental blood grafts. From January 1995 to December 1996 PBMTC performed a total of 44 unrelated CB transplant for a variety of diseases consisting of acute leukemias (n = 29), congenital conditions (n = 9), and bone marrow failure (n = 6). There were 15 females and 29 males with median age of 5 years (range 0.4-20.6 years) and median weight of 18.2 kg (range 6.3-70 kg). The median volume of CB units was 80 mL (range 44.5-215 mL) and the median cell dose given was 4.3 x 10(7)/kg of recipient weight (range 1.1-23 x 10(7)/kg). Techniques used for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching were serologic typing for class I HLA antigens and high-resolution molecular typing for HLA-DRB1 alleles. HLA disparities were as follows: 4 were 6/6 matches, 21 were 5/6, 15 were 4/6, and 4 were 3/6. Twenty-nine (66%) of CB units were DRB1 matched with recipients. Conditioning regimens consisted of either total body irradiation containing (n = 31) or chemotherapy only (n = 11) regimens. All but 3 patients receive cyclosporine as part of graft vs. host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis in combination with either methotrexate (MTX) or methylprednisolone (Pred). The other 3 patients had FK506 and MTX for GvHD prophylaxis. Myeloid engraftment (absolute neutrophil count > or = 500) occurred at a median of 21 days (range 10-43 days) and platelet > or = 50,000/mm3 was noted at a median of 44 days (range 16-102 days). Eight patients died too early (< day + 28) for evaluation of engraftment (5 for infection, 2 for multiorgan failure, 1 for toxic epidermolysis). The probability of having grade II-IV acute GvHD for all patients was 44 +/- 0.7%. The incidence of a GvHD is similar for 4/6 and 5/6 antigen when DRB1 matched, at 47 and 52%, respectively. Chronic GvHD was noted in 28% of patients surviving > 90 days. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of 4-year event-free survival was 43%. A Cox model for analysis of factors associated with survival was DRB1 matching, p = . 001; cell dose, p = . 009; and younger age, p = . 03. In conclusion, CB transplant offers a good alternative to bone marrow transplant Although GvHD occurs, it is usually of low severity despite the high frequency of multiple HLA antigen mismatches. It also appears that a 4/6 is as good as a 5/6 matched antigen CB unit when DRB1 matched especially in the pediatric setting.
Non-Informed Consent Cultures: Privacy Policies and App Contracts on Facebook

Abstract Social networking sites collect extensive personal and sensitive user data across a wide range of services and users accept this through a click on the accept-button in their end-user license agreements (EULAs). By comparing existing regulation and discussion on future adjustments with studies of consent practices on Facebook, the article argues that with the growing importance and use of these services the consent culture of the internet has turned into a blind non-informed consent culture, heavily relying on social incentives and group dynamics in decision-making that are not adequately reflected in current and upcoming privacy regulation.
Special Incentives for Salesmen

A LTHOUGH special incentives can be of many types, "special incentives" are defined for this study as "those incentives that are not a part of the regular compensation plan. " Where the agreement between company and salesman includes a predetermined bonus plan or a commission for sales beyond quota, such arrangement becomes a part of regular compensation and is excluded here. This study relates largely to sales contests and honor awards.l
Use of 3D printed models in medical education: A randomized control trial comparing 3D prints versus cadaveric materials for learning external cardiac anatomy

Three‐dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging technology capable of readily producing accurate anatomical models, however, evidence for the use of 3D prints in medical education remains limited. A study was performed to assess their effectiveness against cadaveric materials for learning external cardiac anatomy. A double blind randomized controlled trial was undertaken on undergraduate medical students without prior formal cardiac anatomy teaching. Following a pre‐test examining baseline external cardiac anatomy knowledge, participants were randomly assigned to three groups who underwent self‐directed learning sessions using either cadaveric materials, 3D prints, or a combination of cadaveric materials/3D prints (combined materials). Participants were then subjected to a post‐test written by a third party. Fifty‐two participants completed the trial; 18 using cadaveric materials, 16 using 3D models, and 18 using combined materials. Age and time since completion of high school were equally distributed between groups. Pre‐test scores were not significantly different (P = 0.231), however, post‐test scores were significantly higher for 3D prints group compared to the cadaveric materials or combined materials groups (mean of 60.83% vs. 44.81% and 44.62%, P = 0.010, adjusted P = 0.012). A significant improvement in test scores was detected for the 3D prints group (P = 0.003) but not for the other two groups. The finding of this pilot study suggests that use of 3D prints do not disadvantage students relative to cadaveric materials; maximally, results suggest that 3D may confer certain benefits to anatomy learning and supports their use and ongoing evaluation as supplements to cadaver‐based curriculums. Anat Sci Educ 9: 213–221. © 2015 American Association of Anatomists.
Increases in Glomerular Eicosanoid Production in Rats with Bilateral Ureteral Obstruction Are Mediated by Enhanced Enzyme Activities of Both the Cyclooxygenase and 5-Lipoxygenase Pathways

Abstract Glomeruli isolated from rats with bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) of 24 hr duration produced significantly greater amounts of prostaglandin (PG) E2, 6-keto-PGF1α, thromboxane B2, and leukotriene B4 than glomeruli isolated from sham-operated control (SOC) rats. To examine the mechanisms underlying the greater production of eicosa-noids by glomeruli isolated from rats with BUO, we measured the activities of enzymes related to eicosanoid formation such as cyclooxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase, PGE2 isomerase, and PGI2 and thromboxane synthase in glomeruli isolated from SOC rats and rats with BUO. Glomeruli isolated from rats with BUO had a significantly increased activity of cyclooxygenase with de novo synthesis of this enzyme and a markedly augmented activities of PGE2 isomerase and both PGI2 and thromboxane synthases relative to glomeruli isolated from SOC rats. Similarly, the activity of membrane-bound 5-lipoxy-genase, the active location of this enzyme, was significantly greater in glomeruli isolated from rats with BUO than in glomeruli isolated from SOC rats. Thus, BUO of 24 hr duration enhances the glomerular production of eicosanoids via the activation of enzymes in both the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways.
A Longitudinal Study of Complaining Customers' Evaluations of Multiple Service Failures and Recovery Efforts

The authors report a repeated measures field study that captures complaining customers' perceptions of their overall satisfaction with the firm, likelihood of word-of-mouth recommendations, and repurchase intent during a 20-month span that includes two service failures and recovery attempts. The findings suggest that though satisfactory recoveries can produce a “recovery paradox” after one failure, they do not trigger such paradoxical increases after two failures. Furthermore, “double deviations” can occur following two consecutive unsatisfactory recoveries or following an unsatisfactory recovery in response to a second failure. The findings indicate that customers reporting an unsatisfactory recovery followed by a satisfactory recovery reported significantly higher ratings at the second postrecovery period than did customers reporting the opposite recovery sequence. The outcome of the second recovery also demonstrated a significant influence on customer ratings (positively if the recovery was satisfactory, negatively if the recovery was unsatisfactory), regardless of whether the customer found the first recovery satisfactory or unsatisfactory. In addition, although the increased change in recovery expectations and failure severity ratings from the first failure to the second is more dramatic for customers who previously reported a satisfactory recovery, the increase in attributions of blame toward the firm is more pronounced for customers who previously reported an unsatisfactory recovery. Last, the results show that recovery efforts are attenuated when two similar failures occur and when two failures happen in close time proximity.
Malaysian Corporate Governance Regulation: Before and after the Asian Financial Crisis

This paper discusses the development of corporate governance regulation in Malaysia, with particular attention being paid to the period before and after the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997-98. It attempts to show that while regulatory oversight of corporate governance was introduced soon after the country’s independence, the pace of regulatory reforms, such as on takeover and mergers, board composition and functions, and other disclosure reporting accelerated from the middle of the 1980s to mid 1990s. It was, however, the Asian Financial Crisis that prompted more resolute reforms. The paper concludes by drawing several observations from the discussion, and opined that the corporate governance regulatory reforms that were introduced immediately before and after the Asian Financial Crisis have contributed to the resilience of the Malaysian corporate sector.
Concentration and Competition in Nigerian Banking Industry: A Review

A competitive market is considered an ideal form of market while the concept of monopolistic competition is more realistic than perfect competition and pure monopoly. The study reviewed the extent of competitive condition of Nigerian banking sector for the period of 1986-2012. This period corresponds to a period characterized by substantial reform to restructure and consolidate the banking sector into a market-driven based economy, and to further liberalize and deregulate sufficiently the systems in order to integrate economically with the international financial market. With the adoption of concentration approach (Concentration ratio and Herfindahl-Herschman index - HHI), we discovered that the competitive behaviour of banks is not only related to the number of banks in a market or to their concentration but also related to other factors at work. Hence, the industry is heading towards monopolistic competitive condition. In our opinion, the more efficiency gains of bank competition could be realized if there is an even distribution of market share in the banking industry as opposed to the present situation where majorly three banks dominate and take the larger market share in the industry. This will help to improve the efficiency required to create a fully functional credit system as well as strengthen the effectiveness of monetary policy.
Global strategic business decisions: a comparative study of domestic and international outsourcing

Today, the fundamental changes that are taking place across US industry, such as lowered prospects for growth, expanding technology, and increased foreign competitions, are making alliances a viable option for many corporations. The focus of this exploratory study is to examine firms' decisions to use foreign outsourcing vis-a-vis domestic outsourcing. One goal of this study is to examine the interaction between an organisational factor (i.e., firm size) and the business outsourcing and strategic alliance decisions. Another research aim is to ascertain what type(s) of global sourcing is sought by the participating business organisations, along with the decision to select its international subsidiary for a partnership over an alternate option(s) as a source(s) of supplies. In addition, the study evaluates the relationship between a determinant personal factor (i.e., number of years on the job) and the strategic business alliances/outsourcing decisions. This study's results are discussed with their managerial implications, and the study's findings are relevant to practitioners and academicians at the national and international levels.
Gaining Competitive Advantage From Integrating Enterprise Resource Planning and Total Quality Management

Summary Using the complex aerospace industry as a backdrop, this exploratory study examines the coexistence of enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications and quality management initiatives, as they relate to competitive advantage and supplier influence. Using a qualitative methodology, the results support the following: (a) a resource-based view that ERP implementation influences competitive position and performance only indirectly through interactions with other resources; (b) that ERP applications do not adequately address the procedural and system complexities of the existing quality programs used by aerospace manufacture; and (c) that ERP implementation increases the influence of the focal firm over the suppliers' quality improvement system.
How Should Immunization Rates Be Measured in the Office Setting? A Study from PROS and NMA PedsNet

The aim of the study was to compare the validity and reliability of 2 sampling methods for measuring immunization rates to a reference standard in a national sample of pediatric office practices. The consecutive method involved patients seen consecutively in the office for any reason; the random record was a random selection of medical records; and the reference standard active method, data of a randomly selected subgroup of children in the random record survey were supplemented with information from a telephone interview. The consecutive method of assessing immunization rates results in rates that are, on average, higher and closer to the reference standard, but also more variable. The random record method rates are lower and further from the study reference standard compared with the consecutive method, but more precise. The consecutive method for measuring practice immunization rates could be a useful quality improvement tool as practices seek to improve immunization delivery and quality of care. It is inexpensive, simple, and easy to implement.
A Rubric for Extracting Idea Density from Oral Language Samples

While past research has demonstrated that low idea density (ID) scores from natural language samples correlate with late life risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease pathology, there are no published rubrics for collecting and analyzing language samples for idea density to verify or extend these findings into new settings. This unit outlines the history of ID research and findings, discusses issues with past rubrics, and then presents an operationalized method for the systematic measurement of ID in language samples, with an extensive manual available as a supplement to this unit (Analysis of Idea Density, AID). Finally, reliability statistics for this rubric in the context of dementia research on aging populations and verification that AID can replicate the significant association between ID and late‐life cognition are presented. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 58:10.5. 1‐10.5. 15. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Financial Shocks, Bank Intermediation, and Monetary Policy in a DSGE Model

We build upon the standard Bernanke, Gertler, and Gilchrist (1999) model of the financial accelerator by introducing a monopolistically competitive banking sector with interbank lending. Banks play an important role, most importantly through the cost of intermediation via loan production. Demand and supply side shocks originating from the financial sector have large macroeconomic effects, and monetary policy that responds to credit spreads linked to the intensive investment margin can mitigate these effects. Our model incorporates a realistic yet parsimonious banking sector, and highlights the importance of understanding the costs and benefits of bank intermediation for a smoothly functioning economy.
Consumer Reactions to a Crisis

What drives the behavior of consumers when faced with a product-related crisis, such as that involving food contamination or live-threatening design flaws? For both consumers and companies, these crises are become of increasing importance because of the globalization of markets and an increased coverage by the media. These crises show the need for marketers to understand why and how consumers react to a crisis. We show that by de-coupling risk response behavior of consumers into the separate components of risk perception and risk attitude, a more robust conceptualization and prediction of consumers’ reactions is possible. In addition, such a framework helps to provide answers on how marketers can deal with such type of crises. The merits of such conceptualization are illustrated in two field studies in the US, Germany and the Netherlands, in the context of the recent BSE (mad cow disease) crisis.