Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Impact of Intellectual Capital Components on Project Performance

In today's knowledge-based business environment, intellectual capital (IC) is considered as an important contributor to project success. The aim of this paper is to question whether and, if so how, IC components (human, structural and relational capitals) influence project performance in the banking sector. Results show that all components of IC matter for project performance. More precisely, results demonstrate that a fair proportion of project performance (49.9%) is accounted for human, structural and relational capital. The study contributes to IC theory by analysing its implementation in project management and banking industry. Moreover, practical contribution of this study is that intellectual capital, with the emphasise on structural capital, is crucial for project and service-oriented sectors such as banking sector.
Robust Stability and Stabilization of Uncertain T–S Fuzzy Systems With Time-Varying Delay: An Input–Output Approach

An input-output approach to the stability and stabilization of uncertain Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy systems with time-varying delay is proposed in this paper. The time-varying parameter uncertainties are assumed to be norm-bounded, and the delay is intervally time varying. A novel method is employed to approximate the time-varying delay, based on which the considered system is transformed into a feedback interconnection form. The new formulation of the system is comprised of a forward subsystem with constant time delay and a feedback subsystem embedding the uncertainties. By applying the scaled small-gain theorem to the converted system, less conservative stability and stabilization criteria are obtained. Moreover, the applicability of the proposed approach to the robust case is simpler since both delay and parameter uncertainties are processed in a unified framework. Numerical experiments are performed to illustrate the advantage of the proposed techniques.
Default Time from Tuberculosis Treatment in the Southern Republic of Benin Using Mixture Cure Model for Survival Analysis

Background: To date, this is the first statistical analysis of default time from tuberculosis (TB) treatment conducted in the republic of Benin. This cohort study assessed the cured fraction, the conditional probability of default (CPD) from treatment course and identified the risk factors predicting its timing. Methods: TB case was a patient with positive culture for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex or with two sputum smears positive for acid-fast bacilli. The 2008’s cohort of TB patients was extracted from Benin national TB registry. Active TB Patients who were diagnosed between November 2007 and December 2008 were included and followed up to December, 23 rd 2009 relative to their specific initiation date. Default was defined using the WHO guidelines. Primary endpoint was the time to default from the anti-TB treatment course. Risk factors were assessed with univariate and multivariate Cox regression integrating the mixture cure models. Results: More than 5% (n=64) of defaulters were identified with a cured fraction of 94.1%. About 3% of patients defaulted within the first 2 months (CPD = 0.025 ± 0.004). HIV/AIDS co-infection and TB history were independently associated with default time (log-rank = 35.21; P < 0.0001 and log-rank = 10.11; P = 0.0015 respectively). With Cox proportional hazards (PH) analysis, predictors of default time were HIV/AIDS, TB history and Age (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.82 [2.28; 6.41], P < 0.0001 for HIV-positive, HR = 0.13 [0.03; 0.53], P = 0.0045 for previous-TB infection and Age (HR = 3.49 [1.25; 9.74], P = 0.0170 for 65 years old or more, respectively). With logistic Cox PH mixture cure model HIV/AIDS and Age significantly increased the probability of default (Odds Ratios [OR] = 4.04 [2.64; 7.08], P < 0.0001 for HIV-positive, and OR = 4.23 [1.58; 12.10], P = 0.006 for 65 years old or more, respectively) whereas TB history significantly reduced default probability (OR = 0.04 [0.004; 0.54], P = 0.0148 for previous-TB infection. Conclusion: Whatever the alternative model considered, this study provides the first evidence that HIV/AID, TB history and Age were the major predictive factors of default time from anti-TB treatment in Benin. Therefore, additional efforts to improve the compliance of patients with anti-TB treatment through a better management of the co-infection with HIV/AIDS in accordance with patient’s specific age group may be an important feature of a prospective TB control strategy in the future. This should be emphasized in the early treatment course for these subgroups of TB patients.
Collaborating for Energy Efficient Shipping - An Ethnographic Study

The aim of this thesis is to better understand the emergent organising of an inter-organisational collaboration for energy efficiency in shipping, from a practice-oriented perspective. Interorganisational collaboration is often pointed to as a means towards sustainable development, and research on energy efficiency collaboration has emerged over the last decade. However, the number of studies on the topic remains low, and there is a lack of knowledge about how such arrangements are accomplished in practice. Previous research has indicated that collaboration can be a successful means in order to increase energy efficiency performances and efforts. However, studies on other types of inter-organisational collaboration have shown that despite all the good intentions, establishing and sustaining such endeavours can be difficult in practice. The exploration of energy efficiency collaboration from a practice-oriented perspective can thus allow for a better understanding about what makes such arrangements thrive or struggle. The thesis presents an ethnographic study of Sweship Energy; an interorganisational collaboration aiming for increased energy efficiency in the Swedish shipping sector. The execution of an in-depth, longitudinal study enabled for a close-up exploration of aspects like practices and experienced challenges within the initiative, and how these shifted over time. The research explores three aspects in particular: 1) how challenges experienced by the practitioners can be understood; 2) the development of collaborative practices; and 3) how the emergent organising of the collaboration can be characterised. The thesis contributes witha more nuanced understanding of the complexities in establishing and maintaining energy efficiency collaboration, and for the tasks of achieving positive outcomes from such endeavours. The study also contributes with relevant insights to practitioners participating in such initiatives. By extending the knowledge about experienced challenges and practices, the study can improve the awareness and reflections about practitioners’ actions in the collaborative setting. Thus, hopefully, the thesis also contributes to a greater chance for energy efficiency collaborations to succeed and survive by decreasing the risk of collaborative inertia.
ScholarWorks at WMU ScholarWorks at WMU Fixed-Ratio Size as a Determinant of the Development of Fixed-Ratio Size as a Determinant of the Development of Tolerance to Morphine Tolerance to Morphine

The acute and chronic effects of morphine were examined in pigeons exposed to a multiple schedule with fixed ratio 5, 25, and 125 components. Acute exposure to morphine (0.56-10.0 mg/kg) resulted in rate reductions under each component when the dose was 1 mg/kg or higher. With chronic exposure to 5.6 mg/kg, tolerance to the rate-reducing effects of moiphine was evident under each fixed ratio component. The development of tolerance was determined to some extent by fixed-ratio size, a result similar to earlier findings with cocaine.
Engaging Higher Education Learners With Transmedia Play

This article documents the application of transmedia play in a higher education business context, providing a case study of how transmedia play can be infused into an undergraduate marketing course. We share our findings regarding learner experience and engagement, detailing results from structured interviews with 22 course participants. Evidence shows that the transmedia approach has value and can be successfully enacted in an undergraduate course to create connected learning opportunities and elicit cognitive, affective, and behavioral engagement. However, we note that the participatory nature of the pedagogy did create challenges for digital novices. In order to transition digital novices from peripheral to full participants in a transmedia learning community context, further research is warranted.
Characterisation and antimicrobial activity of Sophora alopecuroides L. var. alopecuroides alkaloid extracts

The aerial parts and seeds of Sophora alopecuroides L. var. alopecuroides growing in Turkey were investigated for their alkaloid compositions and antimicrobial activities. The alkaloid extracts were analysed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main components were identified as sophoridine (33.07%), matrine (24.03%), and sophocarpine (8.01%) in the aerial parts, and matrine (36.67%) and sophoridine (34.53%) in the seeds of the plant. The alkaloid extracts were also evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities using microdilution techniques. The alkaloid extract of the aerial parts of S. alopecuroides var. alopecuroides presented significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis while the alkaloid extract of the seeds displayed good activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 62.5 µg/mL. In the antifungal assay, the alkaloid extract of the seeds of the plant showed significant activity against Candida krusei (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL). To the best of our knowledge, the current work is the first to report the alkaloid profile and antimicrobial activity of S. alopecuroides var. alopecuroides growing in Turkey.
The relationship between audit quality and risk taking toward value creation in Indonesia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect between audit quality and risk taking on value creation. Design/methodology/approach Population under study is companies on the Jakarta Stock Exchange from 2004 to 2015. Considering the limitations, 145 companies studied in this research, which made a sample containing 1,740 company-years. This study is based on the panel data and multivariate regression method. This research uses fixed and random effects to estimate the regression. In this paper, five components of audit quality, including auditor specialization, tenure, audit firm size, ownership concentration and the percentage of unbounded members of the board, are studied. Findings The results of this study indicate that among these five components as well as the risk factor, only tenure and ownership concentration have a significant effect on value creation of companies. In other words, both ownership concentration and tenure are positively effective in value creation and other variables have no significant effect on value creation. Besides, none of them could affect the risk taking on value creation. Originality/value The outcomes of the current study help audit market and capital market in developing nations.
Signal transformation with pairing of sensory stimuli

Rotation of the isolated nervous system of Hermissenda in a caudal orientation causes a synaptic hyperpolarization accompanied by elimination of impulse activity during the steady-state phase of type A but not type B photoreceptors' responses to light. Rotation of the isolated nervous system in a cephalic orientation causes a synaptic depolarization with increase of impulse activity during the steady- state phase of both type A and type B photoreceptors' responses to light. These effects of rotation on photorecptors are explained by known synaptic interactions. Sufficient redundancy is found to be provided by the neural organization of the visual system and its interaction with the statocyst to preserve much of the visual information in spite of signal transformation in specific photorecptors resulting from pairing of rotation with light.
dUTPase inhibition augments replication defects of 5-Fluorouracil

The antimetabolite 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is used in the treatment of various forms of cancer and has a complex mode of action. Despite 6 decades in clinical application the contribution of 5-FdUTP and dUTP [(5-F)dUTP] and 5-FUTP misincorporation into DNA and RNA respectively, for 5-FU-induced toxicity is still under debate. This study investigates DNA replication defects induced by 5-FU treatment and how (5-F)dUTP accumulation contributes to this effect. We reveal that 5-FU treatment leads to extensive problems in DNA replication fork progression, causing accumulation of cells in S-phase, DNA damage and ultimately cell death. Interestingly, these effects can be reinforced by either depletion or inhibition of the deoxyuridine triphosphatase (dUTPase, also known as DUT), highlighting the importance of (5-F)dUTP accumulation for cytotoxicity. With this study, we not only extend the current understanding of the mechanism of action of 5-FU, but also contribute to the characterization of dUTPase inhibitors. We demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of dUTPase is a promising approach that may improve the efficacy of 5-FU treatment in the clinic.
A Histomorphological Study of Intestine Resections at a Rural Tertiary Care Centre

Technological advancement like chromoendoscopy, autofluorescence and magnification endoscopy has propelled usage of endoscopy for pre-operative diagnosis. Intestine resection now accounts for less than 1% of all surgeries. Despite these a death rate of 1.1% due to acute abominal conditions compells to look at indications and pathological features of associated diseases. Clinical details for all the 27 patients who had undergone intestinal resection were collected. The specimens were formalin fixed and examined. Microscopic features were recorded from the evaluation of sections. Out of 27 specimens, 13 were small intestinal resections. Ischemic bowel disease and perforation were common in small intestine and adenocarcinoma was common in large intestine. Uncommon pathologies like synchronous ampullary carcinoma and rectal carcinoma, a case of intestinal lipoma and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors were included in collective. Peritonism following blunt injury should direct investigation for perforation. Aaggressive surgical approach is commonly resorted to in Ischemic bowel disease.
Measurement of Crosslinked Fibrin Derivatives -Use in the Diagnosis of Venous Thrombosis

Summary The measurement of crosslinked fibrin derivatives in plasma has received evaluation as a screening test in the diagnosis of venous thrombosis. Plasma samples were taken from 104 patients undergoing venography because of clinical suspicion of lower limb venous thrombosis. The samples were assayed using a monoclonal antibody identifying an epitope on D dimer and larger crosslinked fibrin derivatives in an enzyme immunoassay. 100% of patients with positive venograms had elevated levels of these molecules. While a percentage of patients with negative venograms also had increased levels, alternative clinical explanations were apparent in most. A normal D dimer value excludes the diagnosis of venous thrombosis, while an increased value supports it. The measurement of crosslinked fibrin derivatives in plasma may play a role in the selection of patients for venography.
The influence of the business environment on the growth of informal businesses in Uganda

Background: Informal businesses are important drivers of economic growth, especially in developing countries. These informal businesses often do not survive their first year of existence, with anecdotal evidence citing various challenges from the business environment.Aim: This study explored the influence of business environmental challenges on the growth of informal businesses in Uganda.Setting: There are various challenges from the internal and external environment that impede the growth and survival of informal businesses in Uganda. From the internal business perspective, informal businesses have poor business processes and do not have proper business strategies on which to focus their business growth strategies. From the external environment perspective, informal businesses do not understand their suppliers adequately. In addition, there is a lack of research on the relationships between internal and external business environments and the growth of informal businesses.Method: Primary data were collected from 383 informal businesses using a self-administered questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS 21.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), while the relationship between the variables was determined using Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient and tested using regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The results showed that there was a significant positive directional relationship between the internal environment and the growth of informal businesses. However, there was a negative significant directional relationship between the external environment and the growth of informal businesses.Conclusions: Informal businesses should pay more attention to the internal environment and appropriate strategies should be developed and implemented to ensure their growth.
Ciri guru pendidikan Islam berkesan

Guru Pendidikan Islam berkesan dalam perbincangan tokoh pendidikan merangkumi pelbagai aspek antaranya ialah dari segi perancangan pengajaran, pengurusan bilik darjah, gaya dan strategi pengajaran, kaedah penilaian pengajaran, menjaga hubungan baik guru dan pelajar, pengaplikasian teknologi dalam pengajaran dan pembelajaran, keperibadian, keperibadian dengan Allah, keperibadian terhadap diri sendiri, keperibadian terhadap pelajar, dan kemahiran. Artikel ini cuba mengupas aspek-aspek ini agar ciri yang dijelaskan dapat dipraktikkan dalam kalangan guru Pendidikan Islam di Malaysia.
Combined Ahmed valve and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation under infliximab in refractory uveitic glaucoma

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of combined Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) and phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation under infliximab in refractory uveitic glaucoma (UG). Methods: In this prospective interventional case series, 26 eyes of 26 patients with refractory UG underwent surgery under intravenous infliximab. The success rate was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) 5 to 21 mm Hg with or without antiglaucoma medications (AGM), without additional glaucoma surgical intervention. Results: The mean IOP (37.8 ± 11.86 to 12.2 ± 2.8 mm Hg; p<0.0001) and mean number of AGM (3.4 ± 1.2 to 0.4 ± 0.1; p<0.001) were significantly reduced after surgery at 2 years. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a cumulative probability of success for IOP control of 92% at 2 years of follow-up. Conclusions: Combined AGV and phacoemulsification is an effective treatment for controlling refractory UG with complicated cataract under infliximab.
Feeding studies of dietary diacylglycerol oil in normal and lipoprotein lipase-deficient cats

Diacylglycerol (DAG) oil has been investigated in humans and animals as a potential therapy for hypertriglyceridemia and related disorders. DAG oil was evaluated in healthy cats and in a feline model of hypertriglyceridemia as a result of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency. In the first study, eight adult cats were offered a commercial dry diet enriched with either DAG or triglyceride (TAG) oil (48% metabolizable energy [ME] from fat) in a two-bowl palatability feeding trial. After 14 days, total food intakes were similar (DAG diet 470 ± 52 g, TAG diet 380 ± 88 g, P = 0.4). Both diets were well-accepted and no changes in health or fecal quality were observed. In the second study, eleven adult LPL-deficient male cats were fed a semipurified diet containing either DAG or TAG oil as the sole fat source (25% ME) in a crossover design for 8 days each after a 21-day acclimation period. Serum concentrations of TAG, cholesterol, and nonesterified fatty acids were measured on days 6, 7, 8 and days 14, 15, 16. No significant effects were observed on any measurements, and a reduction in hypertriglyceridemia was not demonstrated (DAG: 3282 ± 400 mg/dl, TAG: 3001 ± 302 mg/dl). Dietary fat source did not significantly affect food intake, body weight, fecal quality, or general health. Further studies of DAG oil in cats are needed to evaluate long-term safety and benefits.
Hepatoprotective Effects of Whey Protein on D-Galactosamine-Induced Hepatitis and Liver Fibrosis in Rats

The hepatoprotective effects of whey protein on two injections of D-galactosamine (300 mg/kg, i.p.) were investigated in rats fed a modified AIN-93M diet formulated with a protein source of casein or whey for 16 d. The whey protein-containing diet clearly suppressed an increase in plasma alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activity, lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin, which are hepatitis markers, and also hyaluronic acid, a fibrosis marker. In addition, it suppressed histopathological signs of portal fibrosis, bile duct proliferation, and perivenular sclerosis. These results suggest that supplementation with whey protein can help prevent the development of hepatitis and portal fibrosis.
Synergy between cilofungin and amphotericin B in a murine model of candidiasis

The efficacies of cilofungin and amphotericin B separately and together in mice with disseminated candidiasis were studied. Male CD-1 mice (age, 5 weeks) were infected intravenously with 3 X 10(5) CFU of Candida albicans. At 4 days postinfection, intraperitoneal therapy was initiated and was continued for 14 days. Therapy groups included those given cilofungin at 6.25 or 62.5 mg/kg/day (given twice daily), amphotericin B at 0.625 mg/kg/day (given once daily), cilofungin at 6.25 mg/kg/day plus amphotericin B, and cilofungin at 62.5 mg/kg/day plus amphotericin B. Mice were observed through 30 days postinfection. All infected untreated mice died of infection between days 6 and 18. Eighty-five percent of mice receiving cilofungin at 6.25 mg/kg/day died between days 13 and 30. All other mice survived. Quantitative determination of the number of CFU of C. albicans in the spleens and kidneys of all survivors revealed that mice that had received both drugs had lower residual burdens of C. albicans. All mice treated with cilofungin at 62.5 mg/kg/day plus amphotericin B had sterile spleens, whereas 42 to 58% of mice given cilofungin or amphotericin B monotherapy had sterile spleens. All kidneys were infected in mice which had received cilofungin at 62.5 mg/kg/day or amphotericin B. Neither organ was infected in 17% of each group receiving combination therapy with cilofungin and amphotericin B. The number of CFU in the kidneys of mice treated with cilofungin at 62.5 mg/kg/day plus amphotericin B was lower than those cultured from mice treated with cilofungin at 62.5 mg/kg/day (P less than 0.001, Mann-Whitney) or amhotericin B (P less than 0.05). Modest synergy was noted in inhibition of the C. albicans isolate in vitro. Pharmacokinetic studies showed elevated levels of cilofungin but not amphotericin B in sera of mice treated with combined therapy compared with those in mice given monotherapy. No overt toxicity was evident with any regimen. The mechanism of increased efficacy may be altered cilofungin distribution, excretion, or metabolism; antifungal synergy; or both. These results indicate that concurrent cilofungin-amphotericin B therapy has synergistic or additive efficacy in vivo.