Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Exploratory Role Analysis Of Opinion Leaders, Adopters, And Communicative Adopters With A Dynamically Continuous Innovation

Since Venkatraman’s (1989) research on communicative adopters, little attention has been directed toward this segment of consumers who are often very important actors in the adoption process. This research is designed to examine whether Venkatraman's (1989) communicative adopter concept is applicable to dynamically continuous innovations, in this case, Graphic User Interface (GUI) computer software. The communicative adopter group was found to be significantly different than all other groups on all constructs except homophily. Consistent with Venkatraman's (1989) research, the communicative adopter segment can be called "Change Agents. " Each of the three segments, opinion leaders, adopters, and communicative adopters, is important to marketers of new GUI computer software, but this research suggests that the best prospects in terms of marketing efforts are the communicative adopters. The results extend research in this area and provide support for theory development. Issues with respect to managerial implications, such as market segmentation strategies, are also discussed.
Thrombin generation: the functional role of alpha‐2‐macroglobulin and influence of developmental haemostasis

Currently available chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates for endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) measurement are cleaved by both free (active) and alpha‐2‐macroglobulin‐bound (inactive) thrombin, leading to an overestimation of ETP. Commercial methods for ETP measurement determine this using a mathematical algorithm, which assumes the contribution of alpha‐2‐macroglobulin to the ETP. This limits application of such methods to populations where variation in alpha‐2‐macroglobulin concentrations is observed, primarily children. This study examined the contribution of alpha‐2‐macroglobulin‐bound thrombin to the ETP measurement in neonates, children and adults, to determine whether automated methods are appropriate for use in neonates and children.
Met Expectations and Turnover in Direct Selling

Met expectations, the difference between what one expects on the job and what one experiences, has not been discussed as a precursor to turnover among salespeople. The authors’ study of direct salespeople shows that stayers and leavers differ significantly on met expectations in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. The managerial usefulness of such findings is discussed.
An Empirical Study on Behavioral Intent of Consumers in Online Shopping

An e-commerce website would taste its success only through its strong business models and loyal customers. Customer loyalty is given the prime weightage as the customer on the internet web are highly volatile and switch the brands very quickly than a brick and mortar store due to the lesser degree of physical evidence. In this scenario it becomes highly essential for management of the e-tailers to understand the behavior of the consumers at various situations as this may provide an important insight of the consumer which may be grabbed to create a highly sustainable website to provide highest customer satisfaction. This paper examines the relationship between purchasing decisions and intentions to shop online and the factors affecting the decisions regarding the same in the minds of the consumers. Consumer intention in web based shopping is analyzed through the comparison of the factors that facilitate or inhibit online purchasing of products and services using the theory of planned behavior. A theoretical model that explains purchase intentions was tested with a sample of 120 consumers.
Gene Expression and Antiviral Activity of Interleukin-35 in Response to Influenza A Virus Infection*

Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is a newly described member of the IL-12 family. It has been reported to inhibit inflammation and autoimmune inflammatory disease and can increase apoptotic sensitivity. Little is known about the role of IL-35 during viral infection. Herein, high levels of IL-35 were found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and throat swabs from patients with seasonal influenza A virus (IAV) relative to healthy individuals. IAV infection of human lung epithelial and primary cells increased levels of IL-35 mRNA and protein. Further studies demonstrated that IAV-induced IL-35 transcription is regulated by NF-κB. IL-35 expression was significantly suppressed by selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric-oxide synthase, indicating their involvement in IL-35 expression. Interestingly, IL-35 production may have suppressed IAV RNA replication and viral protein synthesis via induction of type I and III interferons (IFN), leading to activation of downstream IFN effectors, including double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase, 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase, and myxovirus resistance protein. IL-35 exhibited extensive antiviral activity against the hepatitis B virus, enterovirus 71, and vesicular stomatitis virus. Our results demonstrate that IL-35 is a novel IAV-inducible cytokine, and its production elicits antiviral activity.
The Effect of National Corporate Responsibility Environment on Japanese MNCs' Location Choice

We examine the relationship between MNC location choice across countries and the three dimensions (internal, external and environmental) of the national corporate responsibility index (NCRI) using corporate social responsibility (CSR) and international business theories. Based on multidimensional analysis using data from Accountability, Toyo Keizai and other sources, we find that Japanese MNCs are: more likely to locate their subsidiaries in countries with higher levels of corporate governance, ethical practices, and human capital development (the internal dimension), and this relationship is stronger for developed countries; and less likely to locate their subsidiaries in developed countries with higher levels of civil society development (the external dimension), but this relationship is not significant for developing countries; and the relationship between MNCs’ location choice and the environmental dimension is not significant in either developed or developing countries. There exist complicated interactions among the three dimensions and a country’s development stage in determining MNCs’ location choice. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed in terms of extending CSR theories and attracting MNCs.
Potential effects of corrosion damage on the performance of reinforced concrete member

Corrosion of steel in reinforced concrete is one of the most serious issues for the owners. The main consequences of this phenomenon include loss of cross section of steel area, induced the expansive pressure which caused cracking of concrete, spalling and delaminating of the concrete cover. Thus, it reduces the bond strength between steel reinforcing bar and concrete, and deteriorates the strength of whole structure. In this study, a non-linear finite element analysis was conducted to investigate the potential effects of corrosion damage. A series of corroded reinforced concrete cylinder is used in the parametric study to assess the influence of different level of corrosion to the structural performance. As a result, a clear picture of corrosive expansion was investigated and the relationship between the expansive pressure and the degree of corrosion was identified to be the important factors of the structural deterioration.
Different Levels of Hypertension Induce Opposite Diuretic Behaviors from the Nonclipped Kidney in the Rat Two-Kidney, One-Clip Model

This study was carried out on conscious two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) rats to establish whether different levels of hypertension induced opposite diuretic behaviors from the nonclipped kidney. Mildly hypertensive rats and severely hypertensive rats were produced by, respectively, constricting their right renal arteries with 0.3-mm and 0.15-mm clips. On the 11th day of the study, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the 0.3-mm clip rats was 150 ± 2 mm Hg, the water intake was 24 ± 1 ml, and the urine output was 7 ± 1 ml. The SBP of the 0.15-mm clip rats was 231 ± 10 mm Hg, the water intake was 46 ± 4 ml, and the urine output was 27 ± 6 ml. The data from the two groups are significantly different. On the 19th day half of the mildly hypertensive (0.3-mm clip) rats that received cilazapril from day 15 had, with respect to their water-treated counterparts, a SBP of 140 ± 8 as compared with 159 ± 7 mm Hg, the water intake was 37 ± 5 as compared with 26 ± 4 ml, and the urine output was 18 ± 4 as compared with 12 ± 1 ml. In contrast, half of the severely hypertensive (0.15-mm clip) rats that received cilazapril had, with respect to their water-treated counterparts, a SBP of 143 ± 4 as compared with 227 ± 10 mm Hg, the water intake was 30 ± 2 as compared with 51 ± 9 ml, and the urine output was 8 ± 2 as compared with 29 ± 4 ml. All changes induced by cilazapril are significant in both groups. The data of this study suggest that different levels of hypertension in the rat 2K1C model induce opposite water elimination modes from the nonclipped kidney. This conclusion is supported by the different shift in the water intake and urine output among the cilazapril-treated rats of the two groups. This contrast in the response to cilazapril seems to be dependent on the magnitude of the resulting hypotension. Thus, it seems that in this model, when the hypertension is mild, the antidiuretic effect of angiotension II on the nonclipped kidney is exhibited, whereas, when the hypertension is severe, the diuretic influence of the blood pressure is evident. Irrespective of these different characteristics of the submodels of 2K1C, angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitors, such as cilazapril, are effective in normalizing the blood pressure.
Unforeseen Events Wait Lurking: Estimating Policy Spillovers from U.S. To Foreign Asset Prices

Event studies are used to analyze the impact of U.S. financial, fiscal, and monetary policies from US to foreign asset prices across a range of G20 countries and Switzerland. The initial announcement that the Administration supported tighter regulation of banks led to a generalized fall in advanced economy bank shares compared to local equity markets. For later Dodd-Frank announcements, however, falls in U.S. bank equity prices were accompanied by increases in U.K. and Swiss valuations, implying a potential for regulatory arbitrage. Turning to macro policies, the 2008/9 fiscal and monetary stimulus packages generally supported foreign activity, while the impact of similar stimulus in 2010 is less clear.
A potential role for chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate in arm regeneration in Amphiura filiformis

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) from various vertebrate and invertebrate sources are known to be involved in diverse cellular mechanisms during repair and regenerative processes. Recently, we have identified CS/DS as the major GAG in the brittlestar Amphiura filiformis, with high proportions of di- and tri-O-sulfated disaccharide units. As this echinoderm is known for its exceptional regeneration capacity, we aimed to explore the role of these GAG chains during A. filiformis arm regeneration. Analysis of CS/DS chains during the regeneration process revealed an increase in the proportion of the tri-O-sulfated disaccharides. Conversely, treatment of A. filiformis with sodium chlorate, a potent inhibitor of sulfation reactions in GAG biosynthesis, resulted in a significant reduction in arm growth rates with total inhibition at concentrations higher than 5 mM. Differentiation was less impacted by sodium chlorate exposure or even slightly increased at 1-2 mM. Based on the structural changes observed during arm regeneration we identified chondroitin synthase, chondroitin-4-O-sulfotransferase 2 and dermatan-4-O-sulfotransferase as candidate genes and sought to correlate their expression with the expression of the A. filiformis orthologue of bone morphogenetic factors, AfBMP2/4. Quantitative amplification by real-time PCR indicated increased expression of chondroitin synthase and chondroitin-4-O-sulfotransferase 2, with a corresponding increase in AfBMP2/4 during regeneration relative to nonregenerating controls. Our findings suggest that proper sulfation of GAGs is important for A. filiformis arm regeneration and that these molecules may participate in mechanisms controlling cell proliferation.
Simulation and analysis of spectral distributions of human skin

It is important to express the realism and quality of human skin in computer graphics. We obtain spectral distributions of skin in vivo and attempt to extract the features that show the characteristics of skin by multivariate analysis. Furthermore, we introduce what we learned from the analyses into our proposal model to compute the spectral distributions of virtual skin.
Investigation of recombination effects in dielectric barrier discharges: A model

In this paper, a fluid model for the evolution of charged species in atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) is postulated. This model incorporates previously unconsidered atmospheric reactions, outlined in the kinetic theory, and new recombination coefficients for charged particles are used to generate increasingly more accurate values for the charged species densities. Computer simulations are carried out to establish the densities of charged species within an atmospheric air DBD system, whilst taking into account kinetic equations and various recombination coefficients. This work takes into account recombination coefficients assumed seperately to be dependent on electron and ion kinetic temperatures. Results show the evolution of charged species within the DBD discharge volume for an applied AC voltage of 10kHz and indicate that when recombination is assumed to be dependent on the ion kinetic temperature, the plasma saturates slightly more quickly.
X-ray structure and designed evolution of an artificial transfer hydrogenase.

A structure is worth a thousand words: guided by the crystal structure of an S-selective artificial transfer hydrogenase, designed evolution was used to optimize the selectivity of hybrid catalysts. Fine-tuning of the second coordination sphere of the ruthenium center by introduction of two point mutations allowed the identification of selective artificial transfer hydrogenases for the redn. of dialkyl ketones.
The integrated effects of market‐oriented culture and marketing strategy on firm performance

Existing studies concerning the effects of marketing on firm performance have been conducted primarily in the areas of market‐orientation and marketing strategy studies. Recently, efforts have been made in investigating the integrated effects of these two factors on firm performance. As part of these efforts, this study employed market‐oriented culture and the marketing strategy‐making process of a firm as constituents of its marketing competence, and, based on reviews of related literature, developed the relationship between market‐oriented culture and the marketing strategy‐making process, and finally verified the suggested relationship by surveying managerial personnel from a range of firms. It was found that market‐oriented culture does not only affect firm performance directly, but does so indirectly by affecting the marketing strategy making process.
Investigation of Side Effects During Radioactive (191Pt) Cisplatin Treatment in Wistar Rats

Cisplatin is a cytostatic agent that has been used for more than 30 years in the treatment of a wide spectrum of tumours. The clinical use is limited by its side effects, primarily renal toxicity. An enhanced anti tumour effect has been demonstrated for radioactive (191Pt) cisplatin both in in vitro and in vivo models by our group. The purpose of the present study was to compare the side effects from radioactive cisplatin treatment and conventional cisplatin treatment, to see if a treatment gain would be achieved. Rats were given an i.p. bolus injection of 5 mg/kg 191Pt-cisplatin (85 MBq/mg, 113 MBq/mg, or 172 MBq/mg), 5 mg/kg conventional cisplatin, or physiological saline (controls). So far, 69 animals have been included in the study. To compare the different treatment groups the weight of the animals and plasma parameters, including creatinine, bilirubin, ALAT/ASAT and platelet count, was followed for six weeks after drug administration. A significant increase in creatinine levels was observed three days post administration of radioactive cisplatin as well as for conventional cisplatin treatment. There were no statistically significant difference in creatinine levels between the two cisplatin-treated groups, suggesting that the acute side effects occurring on the kidneys was caused by cisplatin only. No other significant differences were seen between plasma parameters. The weight of the cisplatin- and radioactive cisplatin-treated animals showed an initial decrease in weight from three days and for a week onward. Thereafter the weight gain followed the same pattern as for the control group. No significant difference was seen between the cisplatin-treated groups. The absorbed dose from 191Pt-cisplatin to rats was calculated for organs at risk. The highest absorbed dose was estimated to the kidneys (5.1-9.4 Gy) and the liver (1.3-2.3 Gy). In conclusion, no increase in toxicity for the group treated with radioactive cisplatin was seen, compared with the group given non-radioactive cisplatin.
Scientific Parallelism in Personnel Mobility Research: A Preview of Two Approaches

Two articles—one by Anderson, Milkovich, and Tsui, the other by Stumpf and London—address the study of mobility within organizations from different perspectives. Both are motivated by societal as well as theoretical concerns, but the models and propositions developed in the two papers are more different than they are similar. Anderson et al. take a broader approach to intra-organizational mobility, but the propositions they offer are less testable than those of Stumpf and London.
THE IMPACT OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON BUSINESS PERFORMANCE - CAN IT BE MEASURED, AND IF SO, HOW?

This paper examines the question of measurability of the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Business Performance. It starts with describing newer trends of measuring business performance, showing that one can observe a shift from the classical short-term analysis with particular focus on indicators like shareholder value, revenue and market share toward taking also into account soft indicators, such as employee and customer satisfaction, that contribute to the long-term success of a company. This approach is shown based on the European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM) criteria. The paper goes on to give an overview of latest trends in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility and then offers a possible way to measure its impact on Business Performance on the basis of the stakeholder concept. It reflects results from ongoing research and was written for presentation at the Berlin International Economics Congress, 2012.
Power losses and efficiency analysis of the quadratic buck converter in CCM

This paper presents the derivation of the efficiency and the steady-state dc voltage transfer function of the lossy quadratic buck converter operating in the continuous conduction mode (CCM). The effect of variation in the duty cycle and load resistance on the efficiency and dc voltage transfer function will be discussed. Conduction loss for every component in the circuit will be derived and the total converter losses will be expressed as functions of the duty ratio and the output power. A design of the quadratic buck converter with an output voltage of 10 V at an output power of 10 W operating at a switching frequency of 100 kHz is considered to illustrate the analysis. The results will be compared with that of the conventional buck dc-dc converter. It will be shown that, both the topologies have comparable efficiencies over the entire load range.
Access to Microfinance Banks’ Facilities and Poverty Reduction in Kano State, Nigeria

Micro-financing is one way of fighting poverty especially in developing countries, where most citizens are poor. The main objective of microfinance banks (MFBs) is provision of timely, diversified, affordable and dependable financial services to the economically active poor. However, despite this laudable objective of MFBs, a large percentage of the Nigeria’s population is excluded from financial services. Furthermore, there are still inadequate funds for intermediation owing to lack of aggressive savings mobilization. The combination of these factors significantly weakened the microfinance sub-sector and its ability to achieve its objective. This study is carried out to assess the contribution of microfinance banks to poverty reduction in Kano State, Nigeria. The main objective of the study is to examine the relationship between micro-finance banks’ facilities and poverty reduction in Kano State, Nigeria. This study uses primary data that is generated through a structured questionnaire. Data for this study were analysed using logistic regression. This study found that there is a significant relationship between access to MFBs facility and poverty reduction in Kano State. Therefore, this study strongly recommends that there is the need to create more funds flow to the MFBs in order to be able to extend microcredit to larger poor households to mitigate the menace of poverty in Kano State, Nigeria. Keywords: Microfinance, poverty, poverty reduction, financial services, savings mobilization
Lean and the Learning Organization in Higher Education.

Canadian post-secondary institutions are seeking enhanced efficiencies due to ongoing funding shortfalls and expanding teaching, research, and service mandates. These institutions have considered or enacted Lean methodology based on results reported by public service and healthcare organizations worldwide. Lean requires a high level of organizational investment, including an investment in culture, to ensure success. This literature survey highlights linkages between Lean and organizational learning and presents recommendations about how institutions can plan and assess Lean improvement initiatives.
A distributed adaptive local searching algorithm for wireless sensor network localization

The location of sensors represents a relevant attribute in wireless sensor networks. In this article, we propose a distributed range-based localization algorithm for wireless sensor network. The algorithm is mainly based on an adaptively local circular searching area where each unknown sensor must find inside a position that minimizes the error distance with neighboring sensors using a local function. The new position of a sensor is broadcast to neighboring sensors allowing collaboratively to other sensors re-estimate their new positions. The iterative process is repeated until a stopping criterion is reached. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated and compared with other state-of-the-art algorithms, and results indicate that the approach overcomes the other methods in both accuracy and time of convergence.