Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Communicating Art, Virtually! Psychological Effects of Technological Affordances in a Virtual Museum

Museums lean heavily on recent developments in communication technologies to create an authentic experience for online visitors of its galleries. This study examines whether three specific affordances of communication technology—customization, interactivity, and navigability—can provide the personal, social, and physical contexts, respectively, that are necessary for ensuring an enjoyable museum experience. A 2 (presence vs. absence of customizable gallery) × 2 (presence vs. absence of live-chat with others) × 2 (presence vs. absence of 3D navigational tool) between-subjects factorial experiment (N = 126) found that although each affordance is associated with distinct psychological benefits (customization with sense of agency and control, interactivity with reciprocity, and navigability with perceived reality), combining them on the same interface tends to undermine these benefits. In addition, power usage moderates the effectiveness of each affordance on the interface. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Learning from a Strategic Failure

Some years ago Lyytinen and Hirschheim (1987) explored information systems (IS) failure, characterising four different types or modes of failure. This paper re-examines these types of failures in the context of an enterprise system (ES) implementation in an Asia Pacific business that was newly acquired by a global manufacturing company. Following many successful ES implementations in other newly acquired businesses, this implementation encountered many difficulties. Some months after a difficult cut over, the acquiring company commissioned an independent review of the system and subsequently accepted a recommendation to withdraw the ES and allow the business to return to its legacy system. The acquiring company then embarked on a broad based strategy to address the concerns and perceptions upon which the opposition to the system had been based. Subsequently a second implementation was initiated, led by staff of the acquired business themselves. The analysis of this case leads to a new type of failure, namely strategic failure, being added to the set of failure types. The theoretical orientation of the study was social constructionism. To capture, analyse and understand the multiple perspectives explored as a result of using this orientation, a narrative approach was utilised.
A scalable neural chip with synaptic electronics using CMOS integrated memristors

The design and simulation of a scalable neural chip with synaptic electronics using nanoscale memristors fully integrated with complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) is presented. The circuit consists of integrate-and-fire neurons and synapses with spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP). The synaptic conductance values can be stored in memristors with eight levels, and the topology of connections between neurons is reconfigurable. The circuit has been designed using a 90 nm CMOS process with via connections to on-chip post-processed memristor arrays. The design has about 16 million CMOS transistors and 73 728 integrated memristors. We provide circuit level simulations of the entire chip performing neuronal and synaptic computations that result in biologically realistic functional behavior.
Do Financing Constraints Matter for R&D?

Information problems and lack of collateral value should make R&D more susceptible to financing frictions than other investments, yet existing evidence on whether financing constraints limit R&D is decidedly mixed, particularly in the studies of non-U.S. firms. We study a large sample of European firms and also find little evidence of binding finance constraints when we estimate standard investment-cash flow regressions. However, we find strong evidence that the availability of finance matters for R&D once we directly control for: (i) firm efforts to smooth R&D with cash reserves and (ii) firm use of external equity finance. Our study provides a framework for evaluating financing constraints when firms rely extensively on external finance and endogenously manage buffer stocks of liquidity to keep investment smooth, and our findings show that controlling for this smoothing behavior is critical for uncovering the full effect of financing constraints. Our findings also indicate a major role for external equity in financing R&D, highlighting a causal channel through which stock market development and liberalization can promote economic growth by increasing firm-level innovative activity.
The Curing Agent Sodium Nitrite, Used in the Production of Fermented Sausages, Is Less Inhibiting to the Bacteriocin-Producing Meat Starter Culture Lactobacillus curvatus LTH 1174 under Anaerobic Conditions

ABSTRACT Curvacin A is a listericidal bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus curvatus LTH 1174, a strain isolated from fermented sausage. The response of this strain to an added curing agent (sodium nitrite) in terms of cell growth and bacteriocin production was investigated in vitro by laboratory fermentations with modified MRS broth. The strain was highly sensitive to nitrite; even a concentration of 10 ppm of curing agent inhibited its growth and both volumetric and specific bacteriocin production. A meat simulation medium containing 5 ppm of sodium nitrite was tested to investigate the influence of the gas phase on the growth and bacteriocin production of L. curvatus LTH 1174. Aerating the culture during growth had no effect on biomass formation, but the oxidative stress caused a higher level of specific bacteriocin production and led to a metabolic shift toward acetic acid production. Anaerobic conditions, on the other hand, led to an increased biomass concentration and less growth inhibition. Also, higher maximum volumetric bacteriocin activities and a higher level of specific bacteriocin production were obtained in the presence of sodium nitrite than in fermentations under aerobic conditions or standard conditions of air supply. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of the curing agent is at least partially masked under anaerobic conditions.
Competitive effect and response: hierarchies and correlated traits in the early stages of competition

SUMMARY (1) Competitive ability can be compared between species in two ways: effect of different neighbour species on performance of a single target species or response of different target species to a single neighbour species. In a 5-week glasshouse experiment, an additive design was used for all combinations of seven species as both target and neighbour species to determine if there were consistent hierarchies in competitive effect and/or response, what traits of individuals determined position in these hierarchies, and whether or not effect and response competitive ability were related during the early stages of competition. (2) Five weeks after sowing, significant non-linear regressions of target biomass on neighbour density were found for 59% of the forty-nine species combinations and significant linear regressions on neighbour biomass were found for 51% of the species combinations. The slopes of these regressions represent per-plant and per-gram competition coefficients, respectively. (3) Neighbour species differed strongly in competitive effect per plant. Differences in effect per gram, response per plant, and response per gram were much weaker. Nevertheless, consistent competitive hierarchies were found for both effect and response on both a per-plant and per-gram basis. (4) Different traits determined position in the effect and response hierarchies. Neighbour species with larger seed mass and larger maximum potential mass had stronger per-plant competitive effects, whilst neighbour species with higher maximum relative growth rates had stronger per-gram competitive effects. The reverse of this latter pattern was seen for competitive response: target species with lower maximum relative growth rates were better response competitors. Mean effect and response
Patients with stable long-standing rheumatoid arthritis continue to deteriorate despite intensified treatment with traditional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs--results of the British Rheumatoid Outcome Study Group randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should start treatment early with the aim of suppressing the inflammatory process completely. It is not known if this strategy should, or can, be continued in later disease. METHODS In a multicentre, randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial, 466 patients with established RA (>5 yr), on stable therapy for at least 6 months, were randomized to adequate symptom control/shared care setting (SCSC) or aggressive treatment/hospital setting (ATH). All were reviewed annually by a rheumatologist. The primary outcome after 3 yr was the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Others included the OMERACT core set and the Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28. RESULTS Three hundred and ninety-nine patients completed the trial. There was a significant deterioration in HAQ in both arms. Only the physician global score differed between the arms. CONCLUSIONS The trial showed no additional benefit of intensified treatment with traditional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with stable, established RA. It proved hard to suppress C-reactive protein levels. Patients in the SCSC arm were able to initiate treatment changes when their symptoms deteriorated without frequent hospital assessment. Pending further evidence, the model of shared care with annual hospital review is as good as 4-monthly hospital review for these patients.
Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome in primary care: comparison of the physicians' risk estimation and a clinical decision rule.

BACKGROUND Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in a primary care setting poses a diagnostic dilemma for physicians. OBJECTIVE We directly compared the diagnostic accuracy of a clinical decision rule (CDR) based on history taking and physical examination in suspected ACS with the risk estimates of the attending GP. METHODS In a prospective multicenter study, patients suspected of ACS were included by the GP. GPs were asked to estimate the probability (0%-100%) of the presence of ACS. GPs collected patient data, but they were not aware of the CDR and did not score the patient accordingly. RESULTS Two hundred and ninety-eight patients were included (52% female, mean age 66 years, 22% ACS). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.75 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.82] for the GP risk estimate and 0.66 (95% CI 0.58-0.73) for the CDR. There was an agreement between the risk estimation of the GP and a CDR in 51% and the prevalence of ACS in predefined low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups was similar for the GP and CDR estimates. In the low-risk group, according to the GP, four patients (8.2%) suffered an ACS. These four patients were all identified by the decision rule as high risk. CONCLUSIONS The GP classified patients as ACS or no ACS more adequately than the CDR, judged by the AUC. However, the use of a CDR in patients that are considered at low risk for ACS by the GP could reduce the amount of missed myocardial infarctions.
Creating Brand Equity by Leveraging Value Creation and Consumer Commitment in Online Brand Communities: A Conceptual Framework

Advancement in information technologies has created change in our economics as well as in our societies because companies strive to adapt the conditions that prevail in marketplace. In this scenario, marketing professionals are exploring advanced and effective ways to build a strong brand. The research objectives explore the impact of online brand communities on brand equity dimensions through which consumer could achieve commitment and value-creation. While, marketing managers could explore attributes regarding brand perception, information and resource sharing and brand loyalty. A framework is proposed based on the drivers of online brand community and its influence on the dimensions of brand equity. From theoretical perspective, this study contributes to branding literature by exploring strategies for value-creation, brand image and integrated marketing communication. Additionally from marketing perspective, the drivers will guide managers to understand the want and desire of target audience. The building of such online brand communities will raise the return of investment, save marketing cost, enhance consumer loyalty, improving product development and providing circumstances for co-creation. Thus, it will provide ever-lasting consumer-brand relationship and substantial information about consumer behavior.
The efficacy of ginger in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after major gynecologic surgery.

OBJECTIVE To study the efficacy of ginger in prevention of nausea and vomiting after major gynecologic surgery. STUDY DESIGN Double blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thammasat University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD From March 2005 to April 2006, 120 patients who underwent major gynecologic surgery were randomized into group A (n = 60) and group B (n = 60). The patients in group A received two capsules of ginger taken one hour before the procedure (one capsule contains 0.5 gram of ginger powder). The patients in group B received the placebo. The visual analog nausea score (VANS) and frequency of vomiting were evaluated at 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after the operation. RESULTS The results demonstrated the statistically significant differences in nausea between group A (48.3%) and group B (66.7%). The VANS was lower in group A compared to group B at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours. The most statistically significant differences occurred at 2 and 6 hour. The incidence and frequency of vomiting in group A were lower than group B. Side effects caused by ginger were not detected. CONCLUSION Ginger has efficacy in prevention of nausea and vomiting after major gynecologic surgery.
Variational anatomy of the hepatic, cystic, and retroduodenal arteries; a statistical analysis of their origin, distribution, and relations to the biliary ducts in two hundred bodies.

IN VIEW of the great advances that have been made in recent years in abdominal surgery, especially as regards the supramesocolic organs, as instanced in cholecystectomy, cholangiojejunostomy with partial hepatectomy, total and subtotal gastrectomy, esophagoduodenostomy, pancreaticoduodenal resections, and ligation of the hepatic artery in cirrhosis, a more extensive and complete knowledge of the variational anatomy of the arteries supplying the upper abdominal organs than that obtainable in standard textbooks of anatomy is urgently needed. Arterial like other anatomic variations cannot be ignored, for the risks of ligating the wrong vessel or of severing an essential organ-sustaining artery, along with the dangers of ischemia and gangrene, of leaking and bleeding from sites of repair and at anastomotic suture lines, are too great, being ubiquitous possibilities. Arterial variations are verifiable facts of human constitution that have been observed time and time again. They can be statistically estimated by dissection of a large
WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience—going beyond survival

Ӧ Tunc alp, JP Pena-Rosas, T Lawrie, M Bucagu, OT Oladapo, A Portela, A Metin G€ ulmezoglu a Department of Reproductive Health and Research including UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland b Department of Nutrition for Health and Development, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland c Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland Correspondence: Dr Ӧ Tunc alp, Scientist, Department of Reproductive Health and Research including UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, Geneva, Switzerland. Email tuncalpo@who.int
Toxic effects of some synthetic food colorants and/or flavor additives on male rats

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the broadest toxic effect of some synthetic additives of colorants and/or flavors on different body organs and metabolic aspects in rats. A number of chemical food color and flavor additives are routinely added during processing to improve the aesthetic appearance of the dietary items. However, many of them are toxic after prolonged use. In this experiment, a total of 100 male albino rats of Spargue Dawley strain were divided into 10 groups: G1 was fed basal diet and served as control, G2: basal diet + Brilliant blue (blue dye, No. 2, 124 mg/kg diet), G3: basal diet + carmoisine (red dye, No. 3, 70 mg/kg diet), G4: basal diet + tartrazine (yellow dye, FD & C yellow No. 5, 75 mg/kg diet), G5: basal diet + trans-anethole (4.5 g/kg diet) G6: basal diet + propylene glycol (0.25 g/kg diet), G7: basal diet + vanillin(1.25 g/kg diet), G8: basal diet + Brilliant blue + propylene glycol, G9: basal diet + carmoisine + trans-anethole, G10: basal diet + tartrazine + vanillin for 42 successive days. All food colorants mixed with or without flavor additives induced a significant decrease in body weight, hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count. Also there was a significant decrease in reduced glutathione content; glutathione-S-transferase and superoxide dismutase activities in both blood and liver compared to control group. On the other hand, a significant increase in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activities, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total protein and albumin were observed in all test groups when compared to control group. Finally, it is advisable to limit the uses of these food colorants and/or food flavor additives especially those used by children.
Is There a Functional Neural Correlate of Individual Differences in Cardiovascular Reactivity?

Objective: The present study tested whether individuals who differ in the magnitude of their blood pressure reactions to a behavioral stressor also differ in their stressor-induced patterns of functional neural activation. Methods: Sixteen participants (7 men, 9 women aged 47 to 72 years) were classified as high (n = 8) or low (n = 8) blood pressure reactors by the magnitude and temporal consistency of their systolic blood pressure (SBP) reaction to a Stroop color-word interference stressor. Both high and low SBP reactors completed this Stroop stressor while their task-related changes in blood pressure and functional neural activity were assessed in a blocked functional magnetic resonance imaging design. Results: In both high and low SBP reactors, the Stroop-stressor engaged the anterior cingulate, orbitofrontal, insular, posterior parietal, and the dorsolateral prefrontal regions of the cortex, the thalamus, and the cerebellum. Compared with low reactors, however, high reactors not only showed a larger magnitude increase in SBP to the Stroop stressor, but also an increased activation of the posterior cingulate cortex. Conclusion: A behavioral stressor that is used widely in cardiovascular reactivity research, the Stroop stressor, engages brain systems that are thought to support both stressor processing and cardiovascular reactivity. Increased activation of the posterior cingulate, a brain region implicated in vigilance to the environment and evaluative emotional processes, may be a functional neural correlate of an individual's tendency to show large-magnitude (exaggerated) blood pressure reactions to behavioral stressors. BMI = body mass index; BOLD = blood oxygen level dependent; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; fMRI = functional magnetic resonance imaging; MANOVA = multivariate analysis of variance; RF = radiofrequency; ROI = region of interest; SBP = systolic blood pressure; TE = time to echo; TR = time to repetition; VAS = visual analog scale.
Clinical Experience with Autofluorescence Imaging System in Patients with Lung Cancers and Precancerous Lesions

Background: It is important to detect preinvasive bronchial lesions before they become invasive cancer, because detection of early cancer is expected to lead to a cure. Autofluorescence bronchoscopy is a useful device in the detection of preinvasive and cancerous lesions. Recently, a new autofluorescence bronchoscopic system, autofluorescence imaging (AFI) system, has been developed. Objectives: We evaluated the efficacy of AFI in the diagnosis of precancerous and cancerous lesions. Methods: A total of 31 patients underwent both conventional white-light bronchoscopy (WLB) and AFI from January 2002 to September 2004. We evaluated autofluorescence findings using a four-point scale: AFI-I, II, III, and B. The findings in WLB were evaluated on a three-point scale: WLB-I, II, and III. Abnormal areas by WLB and AFI were biopsied for histopathological examinations. Results: A total of 64 lesions were evaluated. When the AFI-III finding was regarded as positive in AFI and WLB-III as positive in WLB, sensitivity for severe dysplasia or worse was 94.7% with AFI and 73.7% with WLB, respectively. Conclusions: AFI is an effective system for the detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions.
Psycho-physiological response in an automatic parachute jump

ABSTRACT Parachute jump is an extreme activity that elicits an intense stress response that affects jumpers’ body systems being able to put them at risk. The present research analysed modifications in blood oxygen saturation (BOS), heart rate (HR), cortisol, glucose, lactate, creatine kinase (CK), muscles strength, cortical arousal, autonomic modulation, pistol magazine reload time (PMRT) and state anxiety before and after an automatic open parachute jump in 38 male Spanish soldiers (25.6 ± 5.9 years). A MANOVA with samples as a fixed factor and Effect Size (ES) were conducted. MANOVA showed (Wilks lambda = .225; F = 5.980; P = .000) a significantly increase in cortisol (6.2 ± 3.2 vs. 8.2 ± 4.3 nmol/l; P = .025; ES = .47), HR (75.0 ± 14.6 vs. 87.4 ± 17.3 bpm; P = .004; ES = .72), lactate (1.8 ± 1.2 vs. 4.4 ± 2.2 mmol · l−1; P = .002; ES = 1.18), sympathetic nervous system and leg strength manifestation after the parachute jump. By contrary BOS, PMRT (55.6 ± 27.6 vs. 48.0 ± 16.7 s; P = .021; ES = .46) and somatic anxiety (SA), evaluated by CSAI2R questionnaire, decreased. An automatic parachute jump increased physiological and cortical response and decreased SA of participants. This stress response can affect the jumpers’ abilities and allow us to have a better understanding of the organism stress response and to improve training for both military and sport parachute jumps.