Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Culture Conditions Affect the Molecular Weight Properties of Hyaluronic Acid Produced by Streptococcus zooepidemicus

The effect of five culture variables on the molecular weight properties of hyaluronic acid (HA) produced by Streptococcus zooepidemicus was studied in batch culture with a complex medium containing glucose and 10 g of yeast extract per liter. Neither the culture pH (pH 6.3 to 8.0) nor the agitation speed (300 to 1,000 rpm) affected the weight-average molecular weight (M(infw)) of HA under anaerobic conditions at 37(deg)C when 20 g of glucose per liter was used initially. M(infw) was in the narrow range of 1.5 x 10(sup6) to 2.3 x 10(sup6), and polydispersity (P) was between 1.8 and 2.5. When S. zooepidemicus was grown at lower temperatures or with aeration, higher-molecular-weight polymer and increased yields were observed. The polydispersity, however, remained unaffected. Anaerobically, the mean M(infw) (based on three samples taken within 4 h of glucose exhaustion) was (2.40 (plusmn) 0.10) x 10(sup6) and (1.90 (plusmn) 0.05) x 10(sup6) at 32 and 40(deg)C respectively. Aeration of the culture at 1 vol/vol/min produced HA with mean M(infw) of (2.65 (plusmn) 0.05) x 10(sup6) compared with (2.10 (plusmn) 0.10) x 10(sup6) under equivalent anaerobic conditions. The initial glucose concentration had the most pronounced effect on polymer characteristics. Increasing this concentration from 20 to 40 g/liter produced HA with mean M(infw) of (3.1 (plusmn) 0.1) x 10(sup6) at 1-vol/vol/min aeration. The molecular weight of HA also exhibited time dependency, with smaller chains (M(infw), ca. 2.5 x 10(sup6)) detected early in the culture time course, rising to a maximum (M(infw), 3.2 x 10(sup6)) in the late exponential phase of growth. The mean polydispersity was also greater (2.7 (plusmn) 0.1) under these conditions. Replicate experiments performed under conditions resulting in the lowest (40(deg)C, anaerobic) and highest (40 g of glucose per liter, 1-vol/vol/min aeration)-M(infw) polymer demonstrated excellent experimental reproducibility.
Inhibition of Return From Stimulus to Response

In a standard inhibition-of-return (IOR) paradigm using a manual key-press response, we examined the effect of IOR both on the amplitude of early sensory event-related brain potential (ERP) components and on the motor-related lateralized readiness potential (LRP). IOR was associated with a delay of premotor processes (target-locked LRP latency) and reduced sensory ERP activity. No effect of IOR was found on motor processes (response-locked LRP latency). Thus, IOR must arise at least in part from changes in perceptual processes, and, at least when measured with manual key presses, IOR does not arise from inhibition of motor processes. These results are consistent with the results of attention-orienting studies and provide support for an inhibition-of-attention explanation for IOR.
Health Product Supply Chains in Developing Countries: Diagnosis of the Root Causes of Underperformance and an Agenda for Reform

Abstract—Well-functioning supply chains to deliver medicines, vaccines, and other health products form the backbone of the health system. Health product supply chains in developing countries are fraught with many problems. Ineffective supply chains weaken the overall health system's ability to respond to the healthcare needs of the population and put treatment programs at risk. This article provides an overview of the structure of health product supply chains in developing countries and outlines the main challenges and their root causes. It aims to identify key areas of reform to ensure that supply chains enable—or at least do not impede—achieving the targeted health outcomes from the increased investments in global health.
Moderating effects of childhood maltreatment on associations between social information processing and adult aggression

Background Associations between early life maltreatment, social information processing (SIP) and aggression in childhood and adolescence have been widely documented. Few studies have examined the importance of childhood maltreatment independent of SIP in the etiology of adult aggression. Furthermore, moderating effects of childhood maltreatment on the SIP–aggression links have not been explored. Method Hierarchical, multi-level models were fitted to data from n=2752 twins aged 20–55 years from the PennTwins Cohort. Adult aggression was assessed with the Life History of Aggression questionnaire. Childhood maltreatment was measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Two aspects of SIP were examined: hostile attribution biases (HAB); negative emotional responses (NER). Results Childhood maltreatment was positively correlated with adult aggression, independently of HAB and NER. In addition, childhood maltreatment moderated the relationships between both aspects of SIP and adult aggression. Specifically, the relationship between NER and aggression was stronger among individuals with higher levels of childhood maltreatment and NER was not associated with aggression for adults who experienced low levels of childhood maltreatment. Moderating effects of childhood maltreatment on the NER–aggression link were supported for total childhood maltreatment, emotional neglect and emotional abuse. In contrast, HAB was more strongly associated with adult aggression at lower levels of emotional abuse and physical neglect. Conclusions The current study provides insight into the mechanisms by which early life experiences influence adult aggression. Our findings suggest that childhood maltreatment may not only lead to increased levels of aggression in adulthood but may also modify the associations between SIP and adult aggression.
The key dimensions of luxury from a UK consumers’ perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a research study that sought to identify the key dimensions of luxury from a UK consumers’ perspective. Design/methodology/approach – The project was empirical in nature and based on a two-stage methodology that involved a series of depth interviews with consumers and a street intercept survey of 131 consumers in the UK. Findings – The project found that UK consumers appear to recognise five dimensions of luxury (affect, characteristics, status, gifting and involvement). Research limitations/implications – The main limitation was a small sample size and limited statistical significance. Practical implications – The paper should usefully focus the attention and efforts of managers of luxury brands, managers of ordinary brands who desire to develop them into luxury brands, and managers who are considering creating luxury brands in the UK. The findings should inform management decisions relating to product development, advertising, promotion an.
Tryptophan Levels, Excessive Exercise, and Nutritional Status in Anorexia Nervosa

Objective It has been hypothesized that reduced dietary availability of tryptophan may be the cause of impaired serotonin activity in underweight anorexics. The study reported here evaluated the relationship between tryptophan availability in the blood and nutritional status in anorexia nervosa. Methods The total amount of tryptophan and the ratio between tryptophan and other large neutral amino acids (TRP/LNAA) were assessed in a sample of 16 starving anorexic patients. Body weight and composition and energy intake were evaluated in all patients. All subjects also completed self-reported questionnaires such as the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI). Results The TRP/LNAA ratio seems to be higher in patients with a more severe catabolic status. It is, in fact, significantly inversely correlated with body mass index, body fat, muscle mass, daily energy intake, and daily tryptophan intake. The TRP/LNAA ratio also correlates with growth hormone and the EDI drive for thinness. Patients who exercise excessively had significantly higher TRP/LNAA ratios. Conclusions In starving anorexic patients, the TRP/LNAA ratio does not seem to be determined by the content of tryptophan in the diet, but it correlates with measures of catabolism. The relationship of the TRP/LNAA ratio to excessive exercise and starvation indicates the importance of further investigations exploring the role of tryptophan availability in maintaining anorexia nervosa.
Management Control Systems: Performance Measurement, Evaluation and Incentives

Preface PART I: THE CONTROL FUNCTION OF MANAGEMENT 1: Management and Control PART II: MANAGEMENT CONTROL ALTERNATIVES AND THEIR EFFECTS 2: Results Controls 3: Action, Personnel, and Cultural Controls 4: Control Tightness (or Looseness) 5: Direct and Indirect Control System Costs 6: Designing and Evaluating Management Control Systems PART III: FINANCIAL RESULTS CONTROL SYSTEMS 7: Financial Responsibility Centers and The Transfer Pricing Problem 8: Planning and Budgeting Systems 9: Financial Performance Targets 10: Performance-Dependent Rewards (and Punishments) PART IV: PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT ISSUES AND THEIR EFFECTS 11: Accounting Performance Measures and their Effects 12: Financial Results Control Remedies to the Myopia Problem 13: Using Financial Results Controls in the Presence of Uncontrollable Factors PART V: IMPORTANT MANAGEMENT CONTROL ROLES AND ETHICAL ISSUES 14: Controllers, Auditors and Boards of Directors 15: Management Control-Related Ethical Issues and Analyses PART VI: SIGNIFICANT SITUATIONAL INFLUENCES ON MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS 16: The Effects of Environmental Uncertainty, Organizational Strategy, and Multinationality on Management Control Systems 17: Management Control in Not-for-Profit Organizations
NEURAL CORRELATES OF PROSPECTIVE MEMORY by TIMOTHY

by TIMOTHY DAVID BRIGHAM (Under the Direction of Richard L. Marsh) ABSTRACT Prospective memory, or memory for future intentions, was examined in an event based paradigm while high density EEG recording measured neural activity. Ten student participants engaged in a baseline lexical decision task (LDT), followed by an LDT with an embedded prospective memory component, during which EEG was recorded. A perceptual target (red color) was used to indicate PM cues and lures. Event Related Potentials (ERPs) were analyzed. Early differences between words and non-words in the baseline task indicated an early, unconscious differentiation between words and non-words. ERPs demonstrated that the addition of the prospective memory task delayed the typical LDT processing, which was partly apparent in the frontal area. While behavioral response to the cues and lures had the longest latencies of all items, neural processing of these items began earlier than baseline items, with activity present at the occipital area at 100 ms post-stimulus. However, these items also apparently caused a delay in the processing of lexicality when compared to an LDT alone. Differences related to ongoing task type and intention typeare discussed.
Camera Focal Length and the Perception of Pictures

Photographers, cinematographers, and computer-graphics engineers use certain techniques to create striking pictorial effects. By using lenses of different focal lengths, they can make a scene look compressed or expanded in depth, make a familiar object look natural or distorted, or make a person look smarter, more attractive, or more neurotic. Photographers have a rule of thumb that a 50 mm lens produces natural-looking pictures. We asked why pictures taken with a 50 mm lens look natural, while those taken with other focal lengths look distorted. We found that people's preferred viewing distance when looking at pictures leads them to view long-focal-length pictures from too near and short-focal-length pictures from too far. Perceptual distortions occur because people do not take their incorrect viewing distances into account. By following the rule of thumb of using a 50 mm lens, photographers greatly increase the odds of a viewer looking at a photograph from the correct distance, where the percept will be undistorted. Our theory leads to new guidelines for creating pictorial effects that are more effective than conventional guidelines.
Multi-slice spiral computed tomography perfusion imaging technology differentiates benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules

Aims: The present study is to investigate the value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in the differentiation of benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). Methods: A total of 21 patients with benign SPN and 21 patients with malignant SPN were included in the present study. MSTC perfusion imaging characteristics and parameters were analyzed. For imaging analysis, shapes, locations, borders, density and enhancement of lesions were investigated. After choosing the region of interest on the images, perfusion parameters, time-density curve and hemodynamic parameters such as blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and permeability of surface were evaluated. Results: Patients with malignant SPN had greater blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and permeability of surface than those with benign SPN. CT manifestations of malignant SPN were distinct from those of benign SPN. Patients with malignant SPN had even enhancement but those with benign SPN had thin wall ring enhancement or no enhancement. Malignant SPN had distinct perfusion parameters and time-density curve compared with benign SPN. Peak height and mass/aorta peak ratio were efficient in differentiating benign and malignant SPN. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that MSCT perfusion imaging technology provides the imaging information of SPN. More importantly, hemodynamics and time-density curves of SPN are effective in the differentiation of benign and malignant SPN. MSCT is helpful in the early treatment of SPN, promoting the survival rate and improving the prognosis of SPN patients.
Notice of Retraction Implementing knowledge life cycle in the body of project life cycle by using knowledge management system (KLC in PLC)

As project managers fail to properly apply knowledge management in projects, firms lose a great deal of knowledge, experiences and lessons learned during projects. This occurs due to the complex nature of the today's projects, high costs and time limitation. To overcome this defect, recently, researchers tried to link knowledge management (KM) practices with those of project management (PM). One way to establish this linkage is to integrate KM and PM processes. Based on theoretical grounds on knowledge management and project management literature, this study introduces a method to implement knowledge management practices, along with project management ones. Using knowledge life cycle phases, we re-define standard project management phases, so that the two processes can be simultaneously and efficiently done.
Driving Online and Offline Sales: The Cross-Channel Effects of Traditional, Online Display, and Paid Search Advertising

The current marketing environment is characterized by a surge in multichannel shopping and increasing choice of advertising channels. This situation requires firms to understand how advertising in one channel (e.g., online) influences sales in another channel (e.g., offline). This article studies the presence, magnitude, and carryover of these cross-channel effects for online advertising (display and search) and traditional media. The analysis considers how these advertising expenditures translate directly into sales, as well as indirectly through intermediate search advertising metrics—namely, impressions and click-through rate. For a high-end clothing and apparel retailer, the authors find that cross effects exist and are important and that cross-effect elasticities are almost as high as own-effect elasticities. Online display and, in particular, search advertising is more effective than traditional advertising. This result is primarily due to strong cross effects on the offline channel. Return-on-investment calculations suggest that by ignoring these cross effects, firms substantially miscalculate the effectiveness of online advertising. Notably, the authors find that traditional advertising decreases paid search click-through rates, thus reducing the net cross effect of traditional advertising.
Long-term effectiveness of oral appliance versus CPAP therapy and the emerging importance of understanding patient preferences.

1271 Editorial—Almeida The two most common therapies used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are: (1) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and (2) mandibular advancement splints (MAS), which are the most commonly used oral appliance. These therapies differ in efficacy, cost, comfort, and side effects. Physicians typically select CPAP as the primary treatment since it is the most effective option in reducing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). For patients who consider the benefits worth the negatives and become adherent users of CPAP, this is the most appropriate course of action. However, the remaining 30% to 50% of patients for whom the discomfort, noise, and other negatives outweigh benefits become non-adherent to CPAP. Untreated OSA is associated with increased risks of strokes,1 myocardial infarction,2 motor vehicle crashes,3 reduced work performance, and increased occupational injuries.4 The economic burden related to untreated OSA is substantial, accounting for billions of dollars per year. In non-adherent CPAP users, a critical clinical question is whether to focus efforts on strategies to improve patients adherence to CPAP, or to instead treat patients with MAS? The study by Doff and colleagues5 in this issue of SLEEP provides important evidence on the relative efficacy of CPAP and MAS to address this question. In a 2-year randomized trial of 103 patients, they found that in an intent-to-treat analysis for mild to severe OSA patients, there was no statistical difference between the proportion of patients obtaining successful treatment (56% vs 60% in non-severe, and 50% vs 75% in severe for MAS and CPAP, respectively). The study also did not find any statistical difference between the treatments in terms of Epworth Sleepiness Scale, FOSQ-score, and the SF-36. In fact, the only difference identified between treatments was in the AHI and the lowest oxyhemoglobin saturation. The findings of the trial by Doff et al.5 build on an emerging evidence base. For example, a recent non-concurrent cohort study confirmed this finding, where the authors followed 208 control subjects compared to 254 severe OSA; 177 patients were treated with CPAP and 72 with MAS over a mean period of 5 years. They found MAS to be an equally effective therapy in reducing the risk of fatal cardiovascular events in patients EDITORIAL
Contractual arrangements and commitment in the Indonesian supermarket channel

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to examine the nature of contractual relationships between farmers and buyers in the traditional and supermarket channels, and to explore determinants of farmers' commitment in the two channels. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports the results of a field study of 602 chili farmers in the largest chilli production area in Indonesia, West Java Province. The contractual arrangements were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while determinants of farmers' commitment were examined using factor analysis and Ordinary Least square (OLS) regression. Findings – The contractual arrangements between farmers and traders in both traditional and supermarket channels are characterized by verbal agreements. Price is the main aspect of the contract in the traditional channel, while grading aspects are the most important aspects in the supermarket channel. Trust and satisfaction have significant influence on farmers' commitment in the two channels, while the actual price has n.
Synergistic activation of a human promoter in vivo by transcription factor Sp1

Many eucaryotic promoters contain multiple binding sites for sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins. In some cases, these proteins have been shown to interact synergistically to activate transcription. In this study, we address the possibility that the transcription factor Sp1 can synergistically activate a native human promoter in a cellular context that closely resembles that of a single-copy gene. Using DNase I footprinting with affinity-purified Sp1, we show that the human argininosuccinate synthetase (AS) promoter contains three sites that bind Sp1 with different affinities. These binding sites were mutated to abolish Sp1 binding, individually and in all possible combinations, to generate a series of AS promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) expression constructs. Mutations designed to increase Sp1 binding were also introduced at each site. The in vivo transcriptional activity of these mutant AS promoter-CAT constructs was then measured in stably transfected human RPMI 2650 cell lines. Our results show that each of the three Sp1-binding sites contributes to full activation of the human AS promoter and that the relative contribution of each site correlates well with its in vitro affinity for Sp1. More importantly, we find that the three Sp1-binding sites when present in the same promoter activate transcription to a level that is 8 times greater than would be expected given their individual activities in the absence of the other two sites. Thus, we provide direct evidence that Sp1-binding sites in their native context in a human promoter can interact synergistically in vivo to activate transcription. The ability to activate transcription synergistically may be the reason that many cellular promoters have multiple Sp1-binding sites arranged in tandem and in close proximity.
A Comparison of Closed- and Open-Ended Question Formats for Select Housing Characteristics in the 2006 American Community Survey Content Test *

In January through March 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau conducted the first test of new and modified content for the American Community Survey (ACS) since the survey reached full implementation levels of data collection. The results of that testing will help determine the content for the 2008 American Community Survey. One of the research objectives of this test was to conduct an experimental study of the impact of using open-ended question formats compared to closed-ended question formats for three different housing questions – property value, number of vehicles kept by members of the household, and number of rooms and bedrooms in the household. The three questions require varying amounts of knowledge to respond and thus may differ in how respondents use an openversus closed-ended response format. For each of the three items, this paper examines the differences in data quality resulting from the two different response formats in terms of item nonresponse, reliability, and systematic response error.
Hybrid Precoding via Successive Refinement for Millimeter Wave MIMO Communication Systems

We propose a hybrid precoding design for spatial multiplexing in millimeter wave massive multiple-input multiple-output systems. The proposed design relies on the popular orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm. The OMP algorithm uses necessary columns of the right/left (for receiver/transmitter) unitary matrix of the channel (obtained via a singular value decomposition) to obtain the initial baseband (digital) precoder using principles of basis pursuit. The resulting baseband precoder is then used to refine the RF (analog) precoder. This iterative refinement improves the quality of hybrid preocders. Quantization of the RF and baseband precoding matrices is also discussed for limited feedback systems, where the high-dimensional RF precoder is quantized using codebooks generated using the $K-$ means clustering algorithm. On the other hand, the low-dimensional baseband precoder is quantized using well-known Grassmannian codebooks. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme performs close to the fully digital precoding scheme.