Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of antibacterial activity of copper nanoparticles

In a previous communication, we reported a new method of synthesis of stable metallic copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs), which had high potency for bacterial cell filamentation and cell killing. The present study deals with the mechanism of filament formation and antibacterial roles of Cu-NPs in E. coli cells. Our results demonstrate that NP-mediated dissipation of cell membrane potential was the probable reason for the formation of cell filaments. On the other hand, Cu-NPs were found to cause multiple toxic effects such as generation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and DNA degradation in E. coli cells. In vitro interaction between plasmid pUC19 DNA and Cu-NPs showed that the degradation of DNA was highly inhibited in the presence of the divalent metal ion chelator EDTA, which indicated a positive role of Cu2+ ions in the degradation process. Moreover, the fast destabilization, i.e. the reduction in size, of NPs in the presence of EDTA led us to propose that the nascent Cu ions liberated from the NP surface were responsible for higher reactivity of the Cu-NPs than the equivalent amount of its precursor CuCl2; the nascent ions were generated from the oxidation of metallic NPs when they were in the vicinity of agents, namely cells, biomolecules or medium components, to be reduced simultaneously.
Elite Interviewing in a Divided Society: Lessons from Northern Ireland

This article explores the particular challenges facing researchers interviewing political elites in a divided society. With evidence from interviews with former ministers in the Northern Ireland power-sharing government from 1999 to 2002, I demonstrate that researchers must consider a number of concerns relating to identity, bias and the polarised positions of politicians in a divided society. The researcher needs to consider how their identity may have an impact on the respondents, whether the researcher brings bias to the interviews and how they might seek to probe beyond ethnic party positions based on mistrust of the other side.
Export Marketing Strategies of an Emerging Country: An Exploratory Study of the Main Challenges and Factors Leading to Success for Chilean Food Exporters

Chile is one of the most stable and developed nations of Latin America and is strongly impulsed by exports. Historically, the main Chilean exportation has been cooper, which in the 70’s represented 80% of total exports. However, in 2004, cooper represented only 47% of Chilean exports as a national strategy of diversification based on the introduction of innovation and marketing. The Chilean fruit industry has been growing consistently during the last decade reaching 17% of total Chilean exports in 2004. Similarly, wine exports have been growing during the last 10 years at a rate of 33%, reaching in 2003 almost US$ 700 millions. Furthermore, salmon and trout exports have also increased at a rate of 25%, with exports for 2003 of US$ 1.127 millions. The main objective of this study is to analyze the food industry, including salmon, wine and fruit exports, to understand: which has been the main role of marketing in the performance of exports? , and how can marketing continue aiding with confronting the main challenges of these firms? For the investigation, a qualitative methodology was done, consisting in interviews, an secondary information. The results of this study suggest that marketing has contributed to food exports I several ways, such as product development, profesionalization of the sectors, and foreign promotions. However, today there are still several challenges for the future, such as positioning adequately the brand of Chile in the foreign markets, deepen market research to understand more in detail de final consumer of diverse nations, and development of adequate channels of distribution where the role of marketing is fundamental.
Optimal Electricity Pricing for Societal Infrastructure Systems

We develop a general framework for pricing electricity in order to optimally manage the electricity load of societal infrastructures that interact with power systems through their price-responsive electricity load. In such infrastructure systems, electricity is not the sole resource needed to serve users’ needs. Examples include cloud computing infrastructure or electric transportation networks. In these cases, other shared networked resources such as charging stations or communication links and data centers are also required to serve users. Hence, pricing of electricity becomes intertwined to managing other congestible resources not priced by the power system operator, leading to a complex economic dispatch problem. For brevity of notation, our analysis is performed under a static setting. We discuss how the power system operator should model the effects of the mobility of loads and congestion in the infrastructure in the economic dispatch. We numerically study the performance of our algorithms using the example of a simple electric transportation network.
Explorer Performance Evaluation of Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access in Visible Light Communication

In this paper, the performance of non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is characterized in a downlink visible light communication (VLC) system for two separate scenarios. For the case of guaranteed quality of service (QoS) provisioning, we derive analytical expressions of the system coverage probability and show the existence of optimal power allocation coefficients on two-user paired NOMA. For the case of opportunistic besteffort service provisioning, we formulate a closed-form expression of the ergodic sum rate, which is applicable for arbitrary power allocation strategies. The probability that NOMA achieves higher individual rates than orthogonal multiple access (OMA) is derived. Also, we give an upper bound of the sum rate gain of NOMA over OMA in high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regimes. Both simulation and analytical results prove that the performance gain of NOMA over OMA can be further enlarged by pairing users with distinctive channel conditions. We also find out that the choice of light emitting diodes (LEDs) has a significant impact on the system performance. For the case of guaranteed QoS provisioning, LEDs with larger semi-angles have better performance; while for the case of opportunistic besteffort service provisioning, LEDs with 35◦ semi-angle give nearly optimal performance.
Acute hypoxia and exercise-induced blood oxidative stress.

Hypoxic exercise is characterized by workloads decrements. Because exercise and high altitude independently elicit redox perturbations, the study purpose was to examine hypoxic and normoxic steady-state exercise on blood oxidative stress. Active males (n = 11) completed graded cycle ergometry in normoxic (975 m) and hypoxic (3,000 m) simulated environments before programing subsequent matched intensity or workload steady-state trials. In a randomized counterbalanced crossover design, participants completed three 60-min exercise bouts to investigate the effects of hypoxia and exercise intensity on blood oxidative stress. Exercise conditions were paired as such; 60% normoxic VO(2)peak performed in a normoxic environment (normoxic intensity-normoxic environment, NI-NE), 60% hypoxic VO(2)peak performed in a normoxic environment (HI-NE), and 60% hypoxic VO(2)peak performed in a hypoxic environment (HI-HE). Blood plasma samples drawn pre (Pre), 0 (Post), 2 (2HR) and 4 (4HR) hr post exercise were analyzed for oxidative stress biomarkers including ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and protein carbonyls (PCs). Repeated-measures ANOVA were performed, a priori significance of p ≤ . 05. Oxygen saturation during the HI-HE trial was lower than NI-NE and HI-NE (p < .05). A Time × Trial interaction was present for LOOH (p = .013). In the HI-HE trial, LOOH were elevated for all time points post while PC (time; p = .001) decreased post exercise. As evidenced by the decrease in absolute workload during hypoxic VO(2)peak and LOOH increased during HI-HE versus normoxic exercise of equal absolute (HI-NE) and relative (NI-NE) intensities. Results suggest acute hypoxia elicits work decrements associated with post exercise oxidative stress.
The Impact of Public Assistance Programs on Small Businesses: Strategic Planning, Entrepreneurship Resources Usage, and Market Orientation as Mediating Variables

This paper draws upon a quantitative empirical longitudinal study of small trade and service businesses that participated in a coaching program initiated by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor in Israel. The purpose of the study is to improve our understanding of the ways public assistance programs affect small businesses and improve their business results. A mediating model developed during the research enables the evaluation of the direct and indirect effects of public assistance programs on small businesses. Findings show that public assistance programs have a significant direct positive effect on small businesses performance. The indirect effect is mainly due to the reinforced market orientation induced by the assistance program, and to a lesser degree the result of the level of entrepreneurship demonstrated by the business owner.
Frequency-Agile, Efficient, Near-Field Resonant Parasitic Monopole Antenna

A simple, frequency-agile, efficient, near-field resonant parasitic (NFRP) monopole antenna is presented. The NFRP element is a capacitively-loaded loop (CLL) augmented with a varactor diode to achieve the frequency tunability. The numerical and experimental studies agree reasonably well. The experimental results demonstrate that this frequency-agile antenna exhibits a 5.56% 10-dB fractional impedance bandwidth, which is more than four times larger than the 1.33% value of the original fixed-capacitor passive system. Good impedance matching (|S11|min ≤ -20 dB), relatively high radiation efficiency ( RE >76%), stable and uniform radiation patterns, and peak gain values between 3.57-4.05 dBi were measured over this frequency-agile range.
Onboarding in software engineering

Onboarding in Software Engineering Rebecca Yates Many software developers struggle to understand code written by others, leading to increased maintenance costs. Research on program comprehension to date has primarily focused on individual developers attempting to understand code. However, software developers also work together to transfer understanding of their codebases. This activity is common during the onboarding process, when a new developer has joined a project. This study uses a Grounded Theory approach to explore the information passed from expert to newcomer, the techniques used during onboarding sessions and the value of this information to the newcomer. The theory is grounded in recordings of twelve onboarding sessions, supplemented with interviews and questionnaires, and answers questions about the representation of code, the support offered to newcomers and the problems encountered during the onboarding process. In addition to providing a focused study of the content of onboarding sessions, this study reveals some novel aspects of software comprehension (in particular the need for the Temporal and Rationale views of the code in addition to Structural and Algorithmic) and provides a set of recommendations to increase the effectiveness of onboarding sessions. The theory is evaluated for both fit and generalisability, demonstrating its applicability to industry, and linked to previous work on software comprehension, concept and feature location, information seeking, information push and pull, and onboarding.
Audit Committee Characteristics and Auditor Reporting

We examine the relationship between the independence of the audit committee (from management) and auditor reporting behavior. More specifically, we consider the relationship between the percentage of audit committee members who are either insiders or ? grey? directors and the likelihood that the auditor issues a going- concern-modified report to firms experiencing financial distress. An insider is an officer, employee, or an officer of an affiliate company. A grey director includes: former officers or employees, relatives of management, professional advisers to the firm (e.g., consultants, bank officers, legal counsel), officers of significant suppliers or customers of the firm, and interlocking directors. This paper represents the first study to consider the relation between audit committee characteristics and going-concern reporting. We find evidence that the composition of the audit committee is associated with the type of audit report issued to companies experiencing financial distress. There is a significant negative relationship between the percentage of audit committee members who are either insiders or grey directors and the likelihood of receiving a going-concern-modified report. Additional analysis indicates that these results are driven by the composition of the audit committee not by the composition of the entire board of directors.
The importance of optimal drug sequencing in metastatic colorectal cancer: biological rationales for the observed survival benefit conferred by first-line treatment with EGFR inhibitors

Introduction: Use of both the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor bevacizumab and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors cetuximab and panitumumab as potential first-line therapies for patients with RAS-wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer presents clinicians with an important decision. We review clinical data evaluating first-line treatment with EGFR inhibitors. Additionally, by undertaking an integrated ‘bench-to-bedside’ approach, we provide potential models, testable hypotheses and biological rationales that might account for these clinical observations. Areas covered: A literature search encompassing PubMed and the ASCO/ESMO websites was undertaken in October 2014. Search terms included ‘colorectal cancer’, ‘cetuximab’, ‘panitumumab’ and ‘bevacizumab’. Expert opinion: A number of clinical studies indicate a survival benefit for patients receiving EGFR inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy in the first-line setting, relative to both chemotherapy alone and VEGF inhibitors plus chemotherapy. Existing preclinical and clinical data suggest that a biological basis exists for providing RAS-wild-type patients with first-line EGFR inhibitors, followed by second-line VEGF inhibitors. More specifically, first-line treatment with EGFR inhibitors may elicit unique biological changes that sensitize tumors to subsequent lines of therapy; conversely, first-line treatment with VEGF inhibitors may elicit biological changes that desensitize tumors to subsequent lines of therapy.
Firm Performance Around Announcements of Changes in Corporate Leadership: Evidence from Nigeria

This study analyzes changes in firm performance around announcements of changes in the top management of corporate firms in Nigeria from 1997to 2005. Data was obtained from the Nigerian Stock i:xchange (NSE) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The study covers all companies, drawn from all sectors, quoted on the first and second tiers of the Nigerian Capital Market that made changes in their board composition during the study period. The study concludes that a change in the top management of a company affects the organization’s performance.
Quality Improvement in the Greek and Kenyan Insurance Industries

Previous research has confirmed that there is widespread customer dissatisfaction in the insurance industry, stemming from insurers’ failure to satisfy customers’ needs. Ignorance of customers’ insurance needs (inability to match customers perceptions with expectations), and inferior quality of services largely account for this. Therefore, further research to improve the industry’s understanding of service quality is imperative. Using data from the Greek and Kenyan insurance industries we construct diagnostics and measure service quality with a view to identifying quality determinants and existing quality gaps in the industries. We recommend quality improvement strategies to apply in each case, discuss the comparatives and then conclude with our view on the efficacy of the SERVQUAL diagnostic in assessing service quality in the insurance industry.
Skeleton‐driven Adaptive Hexahedral Meshing of Tubular Shapes

We propose a novel method for the automatic generation of structured hexahedral meshes of articulated 3D shapes. We recast the complex problem of generating the connectivity of a hexahedral mesh of a general shape into the simpler problem of generating the connectivity of a tubular structure derived from its curve‐skeleton. We also provide volumetric subdivision schemes to nicely adapt the topology of the mesh to the local thickness of tubes, while regularizing per‐element size. Our method is fast, one‐click, easy to reproduce, and it generates structured meshes that better align to the branching structure of the input shape if compared to previous methods for hexa mesh generation.
Measuring Indirect Land Use Change with Biofuels: Implications for Policy

The indirect land use change (ILUC) effect of biofuels has called into question the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation benefit of biofuels compared with that of fossil fuels. This article reviews the various economic modeling approaches being used to assess the ILUC effect and discusses the key factors that influence estimates of its magnitude. We find that there is considerable variability in the magnitude of ILUC associated with a biofuel pathway across studies and within a study, depending on underlying model parameters. These estimates are sensitive to the scale of biofuel production, the mix of policies and biofuels considered, variations in the parametric assumptions that govern price transmission through international trade, and the ease of changes in land use at the intensive and extensive margins. We discuss the challenges in implementing policies to address ILUC.
Using Real Options Analysis for Evaluating Uncertain Investments in Information Technology: Insights from the ICIS 2001 Debate

Business and information systems (IS) executives continue to grapple with issues of risk and uncertainty in evaluating investments in information technology (IT). Despite the use of net present value (NPV) and other investment appraisal techniques, executives are often forced to rely on instinct when finalizing IT investment decisions. Recognizing the shortcomings of NPV, real options analysis has been suggested as an alternative approach, one that considers the risks associated with an investment while recognizing the ability of corporations to defer an investment until a later period or to make a partial investment instead.
Behavior 0 f Listeria Monocytogenes in the Sheep Raw Milk Cheese : A Study at Different Stages 0 f Production and Shelf Life

Behavior 0f Listeria Monocytogenes in the Sheep Raw Milk Cheese: A Study at Different Stages 0f Production and Shelf Life N’Guessan Elise1*, Amara Nassima1, Soro Doudjo2, Godrie Therese1 and Sindic Marianne1 1Analysis, Quality and Risk Unit, Laboratory of Agro-food Quality and Safety, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Passage des Déportés, 2, BE-5030 Gembloux, Belgium 2Food and Science Department, Institut National polytechnic Felix Houphouet-Bougny Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
The course of Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi infections in interferon‐gamma receptor deficient mice

Interferon‐gamma receptor (IFN‐γR) deficient mice parasitized with blood‐stage Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi were used to assess the anti‐malarial activity of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ). There was no significant difference in the parasitaemia between the two types of mice during the first peak of parasitaemia. However, IFN‐γR deficient mice displayed an increased leucocytosis and a high mortality rate, whereas all of the wild type mice survived. IFN‐γR deficient mice, unlike wild type mice, developed a pronounced second parasitaemia peak, 9 to 11 days after the first one, with a parasitaemia of up to 65% associated with mortality. Furthermore, increased serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) were only found in wild type mice at the peak of parasitaemia, whereas it remained at background levels in IFN‐γR deficient mice. Parasite‐specific antibody production was not significantly different in IFN‐γR deficient mice, as compared to wild type mice. In addition, both wild type and IFN‐γR deficient mice were equally protected upon reinfection. These results indicate a delayed development of protective immunity and imply a crucial function for the IFN‐γR in the control of blood stage malaria during the initial three weeks of infection.
The Malaysian Economic Experience and Its Relevance for the OIC Member Countries

Malaysia’s economic track record in development is extremely impressive by any standards. The economy has made quantum leaps in just over three decades. It is noteworthy that rapid economic growth has been accompanied by a more equitable income redistribution without significant inflationary overtones. Trade represents the life-blood of the Malaysian economy with foreign direct investments playing a pivotal role in the industrialisation process. Economic openness has brought prosperity as well as vulnerability. To be sure, the Malaysian economy has been fairly resilient until it was caught in a major currency turmoil that began in mid- 1997. However, the origins of the current crisis are not entirely external. Domestic policies too have inadvertently contributed to the economic woes of the country. Nevertheless, the economy rests on solid foundations built since independence in 1957. The current problems are viewed as no more than a passing phase. However, there is a need to recognise policy failures, identify structural flaws in the system and set the house in order. OIC member countries can find useful lessons, both positive and negative, especially in the real of economic governance in Malaysia’s development experience.
Focal seizures as a manifestation of hyperglycemia without ketoacidosis

A SYNDROME consisting of severe hyperglycemia and stupor or coma without ketoacidosis has recently been defined in the literature.1-13 This syndrome occurs in diabetics, and the majority have been elderly. In some cases, the patients were not known to have been diabetic, and stupor accompanied by severe hyperglycemia without ketoacidosis was the first manifestation of the disease. Dehydration, with consequent hemoconcentration, rise in blood urea, and, if excessive, hypovolemic shock, is another clinical feature of this syndrome. Response to insulin and fluid therapy is usually good but on occasion the metabolic disturbances have been irreversible, and deaths have been reported. Autopsy findings have revealed little beyond changes often seen in diabetes. Nineteen cases of nonketoacidotic hyperglycemia reported since 1956 and one additional case which, in our opinion, represents an example of this entity14 are summarized in table 1.1-ls In addition to marked hyperglycemia 8 of the cases presented with hypernatremia. The urines were consistently free of acetone, and the carbon dioxide content of the sera was within normal range. Shock was a frequent admission finding. In spite of the absence of ketoacidosis most of the patients p r e sented with polypnea. Depression of consciousness was present in all cases and varied in severity from stupor to deep coma. Further neurological dysfunction included in one case (No. 12) a bilateral Babinski sign, in another hyperthermia of central type (No. 7), and seizures in 2 others (Nos. 18 and 20). The patient of Azerad and Lubetzki13 had a left focal seizure half an hour after admission. Serial electroencephalographic tracings showed bilateral paroxysmal features accentuated on the right shortly after the seizure which disappeared after the metabolic imbalance had been controlled with insulin and rehydration. The patient remained seizure free without