Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intranet: different configurations and their effects on the performance of corporate value chain's activities

At the present, as many researches evidence, Intra-Business, and in particular Intranet, is the first step an "old economy company" undertakes when approaching the web (www.activemedia.com, www.nua.com; www.forrester.com;). Literature on Intra-Business is still limited and superficial: indeed this issue has been analyzed mainly from a technical viewpoint, while from a managerial viewpoint most of the researches see the company as a black box, listing the advantages of a Intra-Business practice and describing case studies of companies which had successfully introduced the technology, without characterizing in detail the effects of the implemented solutions on the different organizational units and their performance. The paper deals with these issues and in particular, through an in depth empirical research within a sample of companies operating in Italy which have implemented Intranet solutions, it aims to: identify the different configurations of an Intranet solution; identify the categories of performance an Intranet can affect; and, for each configuration of Intranet, using a framework which characterizes the company in terms of activities and processes, identify which performance are affected for each activity and process, detailing them in terms of specific impacts.
Functionality of Sortase A in Lactococcus lactis

ABSTRACT Lactococcus lactis IL1403 harbors a putative sortase A (SrtA) and 11 putative sortase substrates that carry the canonical LPXTG signature of such substrates. We report here on the functionality of SrtA to anchor five LPXTG substrates to the cell wall, thus suggesting that SrtA is the housekeeping sortase in L. lactis IL1403.
Adaptive neural network tracking control for a class of switched stochastic pure-feedback nonlinear systems with backlash-like hysteresis

ABSTRACT In this paper, an adaptive neural network tracking control approach is proposed for a class of switched stochastic pure-feedback nonlinear systems with backlash-like hysteresis. In the design procedure, an affine variable is constructed, which avoids the use of the mean value theorem, and the additional first-order low-pass filter is employed to deal with the problem of explosion of complexity. Then, a common Lyapunov function and a state feedback controller are explicitly obtained for all subsystems. It is proved that the proposed controller that guarantees all signals in the closed-loop system are semi-globally uniformly ultimately bounded and the tracking error remains an adjustable neighbourhood of the origin. Finally, simulation results show the effectiveness of the presented control design approach.
Electronic integration in the apparel industry: the Charles Vögele case

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze a case where electronic date interchange implementation has been successful and to distill the main reasons for this success and understand how the actors involved dealt with the main inhibiting factors suggested by the information systems management literature.Design/methodology/approach – The aim of the paper being explorative and partially confirmatory, an “information rich” case was selected to generate new knowledge and review the extant literature on EDI adoption's antecedents and consequences.Findings – Whereas some suggestions from the literature were confirmed, others are to be reviewed. The main findings are the following: managerial commitment, technological readiness (both of the systems themselves as of employees) and unclear return on investment are the main inhibitors of EDI adoption. One inhibiting factor that, to the authors' knowledge, has not received enough attention in the literature is the fear of data disclosure. The main benefits ar.
Exon 3 of the Human Cytomegalovirus Major Immediate-Early Region Is Required for Efficient Viral Gene Expression and for Cellular Cyclin Modulation

ABSTRACT The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) major immediate-early (IE) proteins share an 85-amino-acid N-terminal domain specified by exons 2 and 3 of the major IE region, UL122-123. We have constructed IE Δ30-77, a recombinant virus that lacks the majority of IE exon 3 and consequently expresses smaller forms of both IE1 72- and IE2 86-kDa proteins. The mutant virus is viable but growth impaired at both high and low multiplicities of infection and exhibits a kinetic defect that is not rescued by growth in fibroblasts expressing IE1 72-kDa protein. The kinetics of mutant IE2 protein accumulation in IE Δ30-77 virus-infected cells are approximately normal compared to wild-type virus-infected cells, but the IE Δ30-77 virus is delayed in expression of early viral genes, including UL112-113 and UL44, and does not sustain expression of mutant IE1 protein as the infection progresses. Additionally, cells infected with IE Δ30-77 exhibit altered expression of cellular proteins compared to wild-type HCMV-infected cells. PML is not dispersed but is retained at ND10 sites following infection with IE Δ30-77 mutant virus. While the deletion mutant retains the ability to mediate the stabilization of cyclin B1, cdc6, and geminin in infected cells, its capacity to upregulate the expression of cyclin E has been reduced. These data indicate that the activity of one or both of the HCMV major IE proteins is required in vivo for the modulation of cell cycle proteins observed in cells infected with wild-type HCMV.
The longitudinal effects of a two‐dimensional consumer animosity

Purpose – Consumer animosity is often used to explain consumers' boycott of products from a foreign country in a dispute. However, these studies are mainly cross‐sectional. The purpose of this paper is to investigate temporal changes in two distinct consumer‐animosity dimensions – i.e. historical and contemporary – and their influences on judgment of and willingness‐to‐buy foreign products.Design/methodology/approach – Sampling came from a mall‐intercept survey in Japan during the height of a recent Japan‐China dispute (n=139), followed by a similar survey six months later (n=157). Identical questionnaires tapped Japanese consumers' historical animosity (HA), contemporary animosity (CA) and ethnocentrism dispositions, and judgment of and willingness to buy Chinese products. The data were fitted using structural equation modelling.Findings – The results indicate that both CA and HA lowered willingness to buy Chinese products during, but not after, the dispute. CA was consistently stronger than HA in influe.
Positron emission tomography guided therapy of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas – the PETAL trial

In aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas, the result of positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose performed after a few cycles of chemotherapy has been shown to correlate with long-term treatment outcome. The PETAL trial investigates whether a change in treatment protocol may improve the outcome of patients with a positive scan after two cycles of (R-)CHOP. Such patients are randomized to receive a further six cycles of (R-)CHOP or six blocks of the B-ALL protocol, a regimen for the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma. Precautions taken to minimize false-positive interim-PET results include adherence to a 3-week interval between chemotherapy and interim-PET scanning, avoidance of hematopoietic growth factors, and SUV-based rather than visual interim-PET assessment. So far, 175 patients have been enrolled of whom 128 have reached interim-PET scanning. In patients with a positive scan, relapses were six times more frequent than in patients with a negative scan. Recruitment into the trial continues.
Do consumers discern innovations in service elements

Purpose – The success of service innovation programs rests on whether consumers discern the novelties built into service offerings. Hence, service firms must base the evaluation of innovation programs on customer attitude in addition to internal measures. The study examines whether consumers are capable of discerning the novelties built into service elements, and explores the underlying dimensions therein.Design/methodology/approach – Research contexts include fitness centers and auto repair shops in the USA. A list of tangible and intangible service elements was developed based on a literature review. This list was improved through interviews with service managers and a focus group using frequent customers of each service. A total of 34 items emerged, comprising seven dimensions. These items were administered to 120 students who used each service frequently. Factor analysis supported the seven‐dimension model. Finally, a confirmatory study using 527 professional adults supported these findings.Findings –.
Nonlocal hot-electron injection as the mechanism for the predominant source-side gate oxide degradation in CHE-stressed deep submicrometer n-MOSFETs

A possible mechanism behind the predominant source-side gate oxide degradation in channel hot-electron (CHE)-stressed deep submicrometer n-MOSFETs is presented. The role of a nonlocal hot-electron injection mechanism, arising possibly from carrier-to-carrier interaction and/or impact ionization feedback, is emphasized. The latter effect is prominently revealed through a systematic stress scheme that employs a reverse substrate bias. Oxide degradation behaviour is shown to be consistent with the anode electron-energy model. The more severe source-side oxide degradation may be attributed to nonlocally injected tertiary electrons possessing greater available energy on arrival at the anode (gate), as a result of a coupled heating process.
Problems and Strategies in the International Marketing of Services

Services is the fastest growing sector in international trade but is overlooked as a subject of study in international marketing. Some international marketing problems specifically related to services are discussed. Two categories of services – product services and service products – are considered, with discussion focusing on the latter. The characteristics of services, inseparability, heterogeneity, perishability and the marketing mix are examined to identify the unique problems they may create in the internationalisation process of service firms. Solutions to these problems are suggested.
Quality of Life Among Acoustic Neuroma Patients Managed by Microsurgery, Radiation, or Observation

Objective: The main aim of this study was to examine differences in quality of life (QoL) among acoustic neuroma patients across the management options of microsurgery, radiation, and observation. Additional aims were to describe QoL and investigate management, medical, and demographic factors that predicted QoL in this patient group. Study Design: Cross-sectional design, using a postal questionnaire. Setting: Tertiary referral centers. Patients: Participants included 180 adults diagnosed with, or treated for, a unilateral acoustic neuroma within 5 years of questionnaire distribution. The mean age of participants was 56.5 years, and 107 (59.4%) were female. Intervention(s): Patients' acoustic neuromas were managed with microsurgery, radiation, or observation. Main Outcome Measure(s): Current QoL was measured using the Short Form 12 Version 2 (SF-12), and postmanagement changes in QoL were assessed with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). Results: No significant differences in SF-12 scores were found across microsurgery, radiation, and observation patients. However, microsurgery patients reported more deterioration on the GBI general well-being subscale than radiation patients and more improvement in the GBI social support scale than observation patients. Number of symptoms was a consistent predictor of SF-12 and GBI scores. Conclusion: This is only the second study to use multivariate statistical techniques and a large sample to examine QoL across the acoustic neuroma management options of microsurgery, radiation, and observation. There were few differences in QoL outcomes across management groups. Number of symptoms was an important factor in current QoL and postmanagement changes in QoL.
Port infrastructure pricing policy and practice: a case study of Australia and New Zealand seaports

This paper examines the infrastructure charges of seaports and port pricing policies in Australia and New Zealand. Its analysis covers 40 seaports and takes into account their administrative roles as well as geographical factors. An analysis of the effectiveness of port pricing policies and their relationship with port reforms is also conducted. The paper finds the existence of disparities in the growth rates of port infrastructure tariffs across ports in both countries. Port infrastructure tariffs have grown considerably over the study period, but at different rates. Port pricing policies also vary substantially across the states and between the two countries, notwithstanding the fact that the ports have different traffic volumes. Infrastructure pricing practice is affected by port reform and administrative regime. While corporatised ports appear to have high growth rates of their infrastructure charges, commercialised and privatised ports tend to maintain lower growth rates of infrastructure tariffs.
Organizational and governmental policies: Hindrance to Success of tourism businesses owned by indigenous Kenyans

Though there are many factors that could be hindering success of tourism businesses owned by indigenous Kenyans, this paper takes a critical look at policies both at organizational and governmental level as a main factor. It is anchored on a research carried out in Kenya on factors hindering success of tourism businesses owned by indigenous Kenyans in the tourism industry. From empirical review, implementation of the foreign direct investment policy in Kenya attracted many investors particularly as tour operators. This brought stiff competition as the investors are able to tap international tourists from their home countries thus dominating the tour operating market. Literature also informs that foreign operators get high profits for example in the year 2007, they earned an aggregate profit of 78 % as compared to 22% earned by the local operators. The research took a descriptive research design. Stratified sampling technique was used. Questionnaire was used to collect data. SPSS was used as a statistical tool for analysis for this study. From the study findings, policies explain success of tourism businesses owned by indigenous Kenyans by 83.2%. A unit change on policies could lead to positive change of 0.129 on success. However, 20.5% local operators did not have written organizational policies. Local operators looked at government policies as equal for all thus not giving the locals priority to grow. Immediate recommendation was to have written organizational policies. Government's policies should be enhanced as a strategy to ensure non-tariff barriers and safeguarding the foreign exchange leakages while increasing sustainability of the industry.
Hypercompetitive Environments, Coopetition Strategy, and the Role of Complementary Assets in Building Competitive Advantage: Insights From the Resource-Based View

Abstract D'Aveni (1994) suggests that the only way firms can survive in a hypercompetitive environment is by relentlessly competing against each other. Yet, we notice that intense competitive conditions lead industry players to not only compete but also cooperate with each other simultaneously. Using the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm as a theoretical lens, we offer arguments for (i) why rival firms adopt coopetition strategy in hypercompetitive environments and (ii) how a firm can benefit from coopetition strategy in order to build competitive advantage under hypercompetition.
Medical therapy in the management of preterm birth

Preterm birth is still the major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity despite major improvements in neonatal care in the developed countries. Among survivors, the risk of severe consequences is inversely related to the gestational age at delivery. Appropriate antenatal intervention should delay delivery long enough to reduce perinatal consequences related to prematurity. Efficacy of tocolysis varies with gestational age and by the underlying cause of the preterm labour. In this paper we evaluate the use of not steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other tocolytic agents in premature labor as optimal acute first-line treatment. We'll then discuss the use of medical therapy in order to delay delivery beyond 48 hours in selected cases. In a ongoing prospectic randomised trial we consider the association Atosiban – Progesterone to treat spontaneous preterm labor. Our preliminary data suggest that vaginal administration of Progesterone after arrest of uterine activity by atosiban administration could be able to prolong pregnancy in subjects with short cervix.
THE LINKAGE BETWEEN STRATEGY, STRATEGIC GROUPS, AND PERFORMANCE IN THE U.K. RETAIL GROCERY INDUSTRY

This paper focuses upon the performance consequences of strategic group membership in a specific context, namely, the U.K. retail grocery industry. Alternative grouping procedures indicate that performance differences exist across groups-in line with theoretical expectations-for some of the multiple indicators of performance used in the study, specifically ROS (return on sales) but not ROCE (return on capital employed) or PER (price-earnings ratio). A discriminant analysis model demonstrates that the strategic dimensions identified from in-depth industry analysis are good performance discriminators. The results generally indicate that strategic groups are useful constructs for studying industry structure and competitive strategy, but that they generally do not explain performance differences. This is in line with the results of more recent studies, e.g. Cool and Schendel (1987) and Fiegenbaum (1987), which show limited evidence of performance differences suggesting perhaps that the unit of analysis for examining performance differences should be at the level of the firm. The study also shows that there are consistent patterns present in the positioning of the main strategic groups within the industry.
Governance Discount: Valuation of the Korean Business Groups

We analyze Korean chaebols as one decision unit where controlling parties centrally influence investment and financing decisions of member firms. Borrowing the methodology used in the literature of diversification study in the U.S., we find that the mean and median excess values of member firms are positive and the aggregate excess value of the chaebol is non-negative. We find that a higher ratio of cash flow rights relative to control rights of controlling parties increases the value of internal capital markets and the group excess value in the post Asian crisis period of 1998-2001. In addition, we do not find evidence that the credit crunch after the Asian crisis affects chaebol member firms more seriously than independent firms.
Congestion-aware energy-efficient routing in wireless sensor networks

Energy efficiency is a critical feature to be considered in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In recent studies, it was revealed that congestion is one of the main factors to provoke energy consumption in constrained environments. To alleviate congestion, several studies have been investigated, but mostly focused on the transport layer. In this paper, we propose a congestion-aware energy-efficient routing protocol in WSNs (CER), which considers the congestion and energy levels of nodes together to increase the network lifetime while maintaining the network throughput. Our experimental results show that there are improvements in the energy consumption, the network lifetime, and throughput as compared to the other energy-aware routing protocols.
Macrophage dynamics are regulated by local macrophage proliferation and monocyte recruitment in injured pancreas

Pancreas injury by partial duct ligation (PDL) activates a healing response, encompassing β‐cell neogenesis and proliferation. Macrophages (MΦs) were recently shown to promote β‐cell proliferation after PDL, but they remain poorly characterized. We assessed myeloid cell diversity and the factors driving myeloid cell dynamics following acute pancreas injury by PDL. In naive and sham‐operated pancreas, the myeloid cell compartment consisted mainly of two distinct tissue‐resident MΦ types, designated MHC‐IIlo and MHC‐IIhi MΦs, the latter being predominant. MHC‐IIlo and MHC‐IIhi pancreas MΦs differed at the molecular level, with MHC‐IIlo MΦs being more M2‐activated. After PDL, there was an early surge of Ly6Chi monocyte infiltration in the pancreas, followed by a transient MHC‐IIlo MΦ peak and ultimately a restoration of the MHC‐IIhi MΦ‐dominated steady‐state equilibrium. These intricate MΦ dynamics in PDL pancreas depended on monocyte recruitment by C‐C chemokine receptor 2 and macrophage‐colony stimulating factor receptor as well as on macrophage‐colony stimulating factor receptor‐dependent local MΦ proliferation. Functionally, MHC‐IIlo MΦs were more angiogenic. We further demonstrated that, at least in C‐C chemokine receptor 2‐KO mice, tissue MΦs, rather than Ly6Chi monocyte‐derived MΦs, contributed to β‐cell proliferation. Together, our study fully characterizes the MΦ subsets in the pancreas and clarifies the complex dynamics of MΦs after PDL injury.
Task-irrelevant fear enhances amygdala-FFG inhibition and decreases subsequent face processing.

Facial threat is associated with changes in limbic activity as well as modifications in the cortical face-related N170. It remains unclear if task-irrelevant threat modulates the response to a subsequent facial stimulus, and whether the amygdala's role in early threat perception is independent and direct, or modulatory. In 19 participants, crowds of emotional faces were followed by target faces and a rating task while simultaneous EEG-fMRI were recorded. In addition to conventional analyses, fMRI-informed EEG analyses and fMRI dynamic causal modeling (DCM) were performed. Fearful crowds reduced EEG N170 target face amplitudes and increased responses in a fMRI network comprising insula, amygdala and inferior frontal cortex. Multimodal analyses showed that amygdala response was present ∼60 ms before the right fusiform gyrus-derived N170. DCM indicated inhibitory connections from amygdala to fusiform gyrus, strengthened when fearful crowds preceded a target face. Results demonstrated the suppressing influence of task-irrelevant fearful crowds on subsequent face processing. The amygdala may be sensitive to task-irrelevant fearful crowds and subsequently strengthen its inhibitory influence on face-responsive fusiform N170 generators. This provides spatiotemporal evidence for a feedback mechanism of the amygdala by narrowing attention in order to focus on potential threats.
Oxygenic photosynthesis‐specific subunits of cyanobacterial NADPH dehydrogenases

Cyanobacterial NADPH dehydrogenase (NDH‐1) or NDH‐1‐like complex is localized in the thylakoid membrane and participates in a variety of bioenergetic reactions, including respiration, cyclic electron transport around photosystem I and CO2 uptake. Over the past decade, a significant achievement has been made in identifying seven oxygenic photosynthesis‐specific (OPS) subunits of NDH‐1 enzyme, NdhL to NdhQ and NdhS, in several cyanobacterial strains. Six of them are also found in higher plants but not in nonphototrophs. This indicates an exclusive existence of these OPS Ndh subunits in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms and suggested certain role of cyanobacterial and chloroplastic NDH‐1 in photosynthetic reactions. In this review, we describe these seven OPS subunits of cyanobacterial NDH‐1, focusing on their identification, localization, function, and evolution from cyanobacteria to higher plants. A crucial role of these OPS subunits on the function of cyanobacterial NDH‐1 is proposed. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(1):3–8, 2015