Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
False-positive growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis attributable to laboratory contamination confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

SETTING Despite the high prevalence of tuberculosis in Korea, false-positive cultures have not yet been reported. At Pusan National University Hospital, in which positive mycobacterial culture specimens were 2.8 daily on average, 12 specimens from 10 patients requested on the same day were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. OBJECTIVE To identify an episode of laboratory cross-contamination in a tertiary care hospital. DESIGN All isolates were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism, and patients' medical records were reviewed. RESULTS All isolates from 10 patients with supposed cross-contamination were identical. Anti-tuberculosis drugs were administered to two patients unnecessarily, resulting in adverse drug reactions in one patient. In one patient who had known tuberculous empyema, the medication course was probably lengthened unnecessarily. CONCLUSIONS An episode of laboratory cross-contamination in mycobacterial cultures occurred, possibly due to droplets splashed from a sample in a centrifuge tube. Consequently, the aerosol soiled the tip of the dispenser and contaminated the following specimens sequentially. This episode of laboratory cross-contamination resulted in some modifications in our methods of specimen processing and interpretation of the results.
Building Relationships with India's Suppliers: Exploring Perceptions of U.S. Apparel Industry Buyers

India is emerging as one of the major players in global apparel sourcing to the U.S. in the post-quota era. There has been a steady year-to-year rise of approximately 13.3% in exports of garments from India (Goel, 2007). In 2005, India ranked third in apparel exports to the U.S., increasing its total exports to 34%. Tariff and trade data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission (2007) shows that total apparel imported into the United States from India was $2.9 billion in 1997, increasing to $6.4 billion in 2006, and that the percentage change from 2005 to 2006 was an increase of 18.40%. This market growth suggests the importance of the buyer-supplier relationship throughout the supply chain. Effectively managing relationships with suppliers is an important concern for maintaining high profits as well as competitive advantage (Wuyts, 2007). Although several studies have been conducted on supply chain relationships, the particular importance of the U.S.-India relationship in the apparel sector has been overlooked. The purpose of this study is to explore U.S. apparel buyers' relationships with their Indian suppliers, including the supplier selection process, and to specifically investigate the role of buyer-supplier relationship attributes. Using a qualitative methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty three U.S. apparel industry buyers located in New York, North Carolina, and California who are engaged in buying apparel products from Indian suppliers. Interviews lasted approximately 45 to 90 minutes per participant, and were audio-taped with participant consent. Interviews were transcribed and interpreted thematically. Six themes - Expertise, Convenience, Price, Functionality, Service, and Partnership - surfaced within the interview data and were used to structure the interpretation. Based on the interpretation, four relationship types were developed: Convenience Driven, Price Sensitive, Functionality Driven, and Service Driven. The majority of participants seek to develop Service Driven relationships with their suppliers. In building this type of relationship, the most important attributes were found to be trust, communication, and commitment. Because there is a limited amount of research that explores relationships being developed between U.S. apparel companies and Indian suppliers, and no studies that explore them from the perspective of buyers, the results of this study provide an in-depth understanding of the issues and challenges involved in working together on a global platform. Strong relationships with India are critical for U.S. apparel companies, not only to increase profits, but to bring a quality product to market that will satisfy the final consumer. This study contributes to both U.S. apparel industry buyers' and Indian suppliers' knowledge of how to build strong buyer-supplier relationships in global apparel production. Future empirical research is needed to further investigate buyer-supplier relationships and thereby enrich our understanding of them.
The determinants of R&D Investment: the role of Cash flow and Capabilities

In this paper we have estimated a behavioural equation for R&D investment. We assess the impact of liquidity constraints and capabilities, measured respectively as internal cash flow and distance from the technological frontier. Our estimation is performed on an industry level panel covering fifteen European countries from 1996 to 2005 and on a sample of European R&D performers extracted from COMPUSTAT covering 2000-2008. Both at industry level and firm level we found that financing constraints exist and that the distance from the frontier negatively affects the decision to engage in R&D. We claim that the implied divergence pattern opens a gap for policy intervention, but that these policies should be correctly tailored and should also promote enablers of technological change.
Disclosure Comparability Under IFRS

Proponents of IFRS argue that applying uniform accounting standards leads to comparable financial statements. While previous studies have illustrated that initial IFRS disclosure quality significantly varies upon IFRS adoption, there is little evidence whether disclosures become more comparable after IFRS adoption. Using hand-collected data on 18 disclosure items of European real estate firms over the period 2005 to 2010, we find that disclosures improve and become more comparable over time. Furthermore, our results suggest that an exogenous shock, such as the financial crisis, accelerates the process to better and more comparable disclosure practices. This process is more pronounced and faster for valuation-related than for general disclosures. These results are of interest in the debate whether a principles-based accounting framework such as IFRS can generate comparable information.
Characteristics of echolocation signals used by a harbour propoise (Phocoena phocoena) in a target detection experiment

The characteristics of echolocation signals used by ah arbour porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena )d uring a target detection experiment are described. Aw aterfilled steel sphere (either 5.08 or 7.62 cm in diameter) was placed at distances of 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 mf rom ah arbour porpoise stationed in an underwater hoop. Detection was determined by a go/no-go procedure. Target trials were alternated with no-target trials according to ap seudo-random schedule. The harbour porpoise detected the large sphere at all distances, while the small sphere was detected up to 14 m. It used clicks with less energy when detecting the large sphere at all distances. The porpoise used, on average, 13 clicks to make a decision for the large sphere, which was significantly fewer compared to the small sphere (34 clicks) and to no-target trials (37 clicks). The mean interval between clicks was almost constant (about 59 ms) and independent of distance to target. The individual pulse trains showed two kinds of smallscale variations in click intervals: (1) jittering, which could be aw ay of avoiding range-ambiguous interference and (2) cyclic modulation. The mean source levels for all targets and all distances ranged from 157 to 169 dB re 1 # Pa (p-p). The clicks were on average 77 # si nd uration and had ap eak frequency of 131 kHz. Al ow amplitude pre-click was seen prior to the majority of the clicks recorded. The pre-click occurred on average about 270 # sb efore the main click, regardless of target present or not, and was correlated temporally and spectrally to the subsequent main click. Ap re-click has not previously been reported or found in the signals of three other harbour porpoises and may be an anomaly in this individual.
Moderate and High Intensity Exercise Training in HIV-1 Seropositive Individuals: a Randomized Trial

HIV-infected individuals are frequently active, but guidelines for exercise in this population lack scientific support, since studies on the effects of exercise training on immunologic variables of HIV-1 positive individuals have shown conflicting results. Exercise capacity, immunologic markers (CD4, CD8 and CD4:CD8 ratio), anthropometric measurements, and depression scores were evaluated to compare the effects of two intensities of aerobic exercise on HIV-1 seropositive individuals. Twenty-one healthy subjects (14 men, 7 women), carriers of the HIV-1 virus (CD4>200 cells x mm(-3)), and inactive for at least 6 months, completed a 12 week exercise training program (36 sessions of 1 h, 3 times per week), in a moderate intensity group (60+/-4% of maximal heart rate) or a high intensity group (84+/-4% of maximal heart rate). Exercise capacity estimated by treadmill time was increased significantly in both moderate intensity (680+/-81 s before; 750+/-151 s after) and high intensity (651+/-122 s before; 841+/-158 s after) groups, but the high intensity group presented a significantly larger increment (p<0.01). There were no significant changes in the immunologic variables, anthropometric measurements or depression scores. Thus, HIV-seropositive individuals that participate in moderate and high intensity exercise programs are able to increase their functional capacity without any detectable changes in immunologic variables, anthropometric measurements or depression scores.
A Comparative Study of Owner, Contractor, and Consultant Perspective on the Selection Criteria for Subcontractors.

DOI 10.5592/otmcj.2015. 2.7 Research paper Up till now, most research on the selection of subcontractors in construction projects has focused on the factors considered by the main (general) contractors. The goal of this study is to identify the factors that other main stakeholders, namely clients and consultants, believe should be taken into account when selecting subcontractors. The paper presents the results of a survey of experts from various backgrounds in the construction industry and conducts a comparative study of their perspectives in factors that should be considered in selecting subcontractors. The results of the survey show that there are similarities and dissimilarities between perceptions of respondents with different background. For example, nearly all the respondents identified subcontractor’s past experience in similar projects and subcontractor’s available resources, as the most important factors that should be considered in selecting subcontractors. However, while respondents from contractor organizations identified the lowest bid as one of the most important factors, those from consultant and client organizations identified subcontractor’s safety record, compliance with project schedule, and safety programs and past safety record as their top considerations in selecting subcontractors. The paper provides an extensive statistical analysis to identify the impact of stakeholder’s background on their perspective in the importance of factors that should be considered in selecting subcontractors and discusses the similarities and dissimilarities in their perspectives. Keywords
Doctor-patient communication in rheumatology: studies of visual and verbal perception using educational booklets and other graphic material.

Patients (n = 404) with osteoarthrosis and control subjects (n = 233) were studied to examine the communicational value of five styles of illustration (cartoon (C), matchstick (M), representational (R), symbolic (S), photographic (P) and two levels of text ('easy', 'hard'), presented as educational booklets about osteoarthrosis. Booklet comprehension was tested with a multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ) scored by two raw score and two, more sensitive, weight-of-evidence methods. Further studies assessed perception of image detail, tone, and colour by ranking, rating, latency, and questionnaire methods. A subgroup was tested psychometrically. The main findings were: pictures in booklets enhance communication; perception of pictorial style depends on its vehicle of presentation, cartoons being most effective in booklets, photographs overall; simplifying text does not significantly enhance communication; certain picture-text 'interactions' appear to increase comprehension (e.g. 'hard' text with 'easy' pictures); several 'endogenous' factors are associated with increased comprehension: 'psychological' (e.g., intelligence, memory, reading skill); 'demographic' (e.g., the young, males, higher social grades, higher educational levels); 'disease' (e.g., longer disease duration, previous information about the disease).
Influence of DNA isolation from historical otoliths on nuclear–mitochondrial marker amplification and age determination in an overexploited fish, the common sole (Solea solea L.)

Historical otolith collections are crucial in assessing the evolutionary consequences of natural and anthropogenic changes on the demography and connectivity of commercially important fish species. Hence, it is important to define optimal protocols for purifying DNA from such valuable information sources while avoiding any damage to the physical structure of the otolith. Before being able to conclude on the harmlessness of a method, it is important to validate protocols on different kinds of otoliths by testing purification methodologies under standardized conditions. Here we compare the effect of two DNA extraction methods on the success in identifying the age in an overexploited marine fish, the common sole (Solea solea L.). To ensure optimal future population genetic and demographic analyses, we assessed DNA quantity and tested the DNA quality by investigating the amplification success of a mitochondrial and nuclear marker. Our results show that the choice of the DNA extraction method had a significant effect on the success of using these otoliths in age and growth analyses. Standard commercial and published protocols resulted in a severe damaging of the otolith structure, hampering accurate preparation and analyses of the morphological structures of the otoliths. Shortening the lysis time and lowering the EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) and SDS (sodium dodecylsulphate) concentration turned out to be beneficial for the stability of otolith structure, while maintaining an overall high DNA quality measured through polymerase chain reaction amplification success. We therefore recommend that care should be taken when choosing the extraction method for a molecular study on archived samples, in order to enable the maximal use of information embedded in historical material.
Sex Difference of Urinary Osmolality in German Children

Background/Aims: Origin of sex difference in urinary osmolality. Methods: In 495 healthy children aged 4.0–14.9 years participating in the DONALD (Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed) study (247 boys, 248 girls), the water intake recorded in 24-hour weighed dietary records along with urinary volume, osmolality and free water reserve in 24-hour urine samples from the same day as the dietary record were determined. Results: Boys showed a significantly higher energy intake, total water intake, urinary osmolality and osmolar load than girls but no increase in urinary volume. When referred to energy intake, mean urinary volume and mean free water reserve were significantly higher in girls than boys. Girls could have a preference for food with a higher water density and lower non-renal water losses. Conclusion: German girls of the DONALD study displayed a lower urinary osmolality than German boys due to a relatively higher urinary volume. The sex difference could be caused by a higher water density of the ingested food (ml/kcal) and a lower insensible water loss (ml/kcal) in girls than boys.
Information systems outsourcing : myths, metaphors, and realities

From the Publisher: The outsourcing revolution is underway as increasing numbers of major corporations transfer their information systems (IS) assets, leases and staff to third-party vendors. In-depth interviews with individuals from 13 different companies who have gone through formal IS outsourcing reveal insights about the intentions, motivations and consequences of this rapidly growing area. Includes step-by-step instructions to negotiate a successful vendor contract.
Towards uniformity for smart glasses devices: An assessment of function as the driver for standardisation

Smart glasses come as an autonomous, wearable device that will diminish the gap between intention and action. Being a new technology, there are a plethora of diverse devices under development. We investigate them in order to discover elements of uniform characteristics under a two-fold reasoning. First examine the technical attributes that will facilitate professional usage into specific application domains. Second in a societal context detect the issues that will drive their adoption for consumer purposes. Our conclusion is that although there is a nucleus of common features being formed, further evidence of usability in the professional domains and overcoming societal issues is needed prior to their adoption for consumer applications.
Issues and Opportunities in New Product Development: An Introduction to the Special Issue

-Rapid and radical technological developments in computers, telecommunication, and information sciences, particularly the explosive growth in the diffusion and impact of the Internet and intranets; -Globalization of business, including increased international competition and the emergence of regional and global customers and resource markets; -Continuing mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances that alter the competitive structure and practices of an increasing number of industries; -The changing demographics, values, expectations, and behavior of the population; -Increased government and public scrutiny of business decisions, with greater focus on the ethical dimensions of these decisions; -Increased deregulation, privatization, and cooperation between business and government; and -Changes in business practices-downsizing, outsourcing, reengineering, and so on-that have led to flatter, cross-functional organizations and a change in the social/business "contract" of firms with their employees, customers, and other stakeholders.
Enhancing innovation capability and business opportunities : cases of SME-oriented applied research

Pieskä, Sakari Enhancing Innovation Capability and Business Opportunities. Cases of SMEOriented Applied Research Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2012, 162 p. (Jyväskylä Studies in Business and Economics ISSN 1457-1986; 110) ISBN 978-951-39-4636-4 (nid.) ISBN 978-951-39-4637-1 (PDF) Finnish summary Diss. Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is an important contemporary challenge for the future of Finland. This thesis investigates how competitiveness can be developed by enhancing innovation capability and business opportunities with collaborative applied research involving SMEs and applied research groups. This thesis presents the main research results of collaboration projects involving an applied research team and SMEs. More than 50 companies participated in these projects, and the companies were mainly production-oriented SMEs. The applied research projects were conducted in the areas of robotics, simulation and wireless automation. The main results of the projects are presented in nine articles published previously. The results are analyzed in this study from the perspectives of innovation capability and business potential. The aim of the study is to explore what business opportunities have risen from the collaborative research projects of SMEs and an applied research team, and how this collaboration has enhanced the innovation capability of the two parties. The collaborative projects analyzed in this study produced 22 business opportunities for evaluation. Half of them were assessed to have good or excellent business potential, and nine of them have already been used in the production of SMEs. The patented solutions indicate the practical innovativeness of the collaboration. Innovation capability was assessed to have increased remarkably both in the SMEs and in the applied research team. According to the experiences of this study, the main factor to enhance innovation capability in the SMEs and small research groups is the development of collaboration culture, which is based on integration of co-creation, trust and helping relationship with technology expertise, technological capability and business knowledge, which should proactively embrace the needs of current and future customers. The study presents recommendations on how innovation capability and business opportunities should be enhanced.
Predicting the performance of ERP in a changing and challenging energy market

“The energy supplier of today, which focuses on the production and sales of electricity (and gas), has no sustainable future. Energy suppliers have to redesign themselves to survive. ” All energy suppliers approached in this research confirmed this statement. All four energy suppliers are searching for new ways to position themselves in the future energy market. One thing is clear, in this new position non-commodity products and services (e.g., solar installations and energy management tools) are of great importance. New IT solutions are required to support (the sales and delivery of) non-commodity products and services. However, there is some ambiguity around which IT solution would fit best. This research, therefore, aims to provide insight into the expected performance of ERP as a solution for non-commodity products and services supplied by energy suppliers. The expected performance is the degree to which an ERP implementation provides the expected benefits for the organisation.
Industry Expert Directors

We analyze the valuation effect of board industry experience and channels through which industry experience of outside directors relates to firm value. Our analysis shows that firms with more experienced outside directors are valued at a premium compared to firms with less experienced outside directors. Additional analyses, including a quasi-experimental setting based on director deaths, mitigate endogeneity concerns. The association between having directors with more industry experience and higher firm value is more pronounced for firms with larger investment programs, larger cash reserves, and during crises. In contrast, it is weaker in more dynamic industries, i.e., industries that rank high in terms of sales growth, R&D expenditures, merger activities, competitive threat, and product market changes, where the value of previously acquired experience is likely to be diminished. Overall, our findings are consistent with board industry experience being a valuable corporate governance mechanism.