Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ownership advantages, foreign investment and performance of multinational companies' subsidiaries

The purpose of this empirical study was to extend and develop the literature in foreign direct investment, ownership advantages and performance of multinational companies’ subsidiaries. This research contributes to the literature by providing empirical support for several theories and previously defined and/or tested constructs. The parent and subsidiary’s factors measured in this study suggest the importance of internationalization and ownership advantages of Dunning’s eclectic theory. Moreover, according to resource-based theory, the number of employees, capital and total assets constructs measured in this study propose the effect of firm’s recourses on performance and ownership of foreign companies. Our finding show that foreign companies with higher levels of foreign ownership and experience in host market and those with greater sales growth rate and lower export have better performance in terms of asset growth. MNCs preferred to acquire high levels of control especially for large size subsidiaries. It shows that transaction costs play a very important role in the finding of an efficient and successful market entry strategy and when transaction costs increase, MNCs tend to switch to more hierarchical modes such as wholly owned subsidiary. However, we examine FDI and performance of MNCs’ subsidiaries in three parts: The first study explores Japanese foreign investment in India. Our findings show that in recent periods, Japanese MNCs prefer to acquire high levels of equity ownership, including full ownership to joint ventures, especially when the subsidiary is in the manufacturing industry. Our results imply that capital and full equity ownership have
Synthetic phosphoinositolglycans regulate lipid metabolism between rat adipocytes via release of GPI-protein-harbouring adiposomes

A novel molecular mechanism for the regulation of lipid metabolism by palmitate, H2O2 and the anti-diabetic sulfonylurea drug, glimepiride, in rat adipocytes was recently elucidated. It encompasses the translocation of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored (GPI-) and (c)AMP degrading enzymes Gce1 and CD73 from detergent-insoluble glycolipid-enriched microdomains of the plasma membrane (DIGs) to intracellular lipid droplets (LD), the incorporation of Gce1 and CD73 into vesicles (adiposomes) which are then released from donor adipocytes and finally the transfer of Gce1 and CD73 from the adiposomes to acceptor adipocytes, where they degrade (c)AMP at the LD surface. Here the stimulation of esterification and inhibition of lipolysis by synthetic phosphoinositolglycans (PIGs), such as PIG37, which represents the glycan component of the GPI anchor, are shown to be correlated to translocation from DIGs to LD and release into adiposomes of Gce1 and CD73. PIG37 actions were blocked upon disruption of DIGs, inactivation of PIG receptor and removal of adiposomes from the incubation medium as was true for those induced by palmitate, H2O2 or glimepiride. In contrast, only the latter actions were dependent on the GPI-specific phospholipase C (GPI-PLC), which may generate PIGs, or on exogenous PIG37 in case of inhibited GPI-PLC. At submaximal concentrations PIG37 and palmitate, H2O2 or glimepiride acted in synergistic fashion. These data suggest that PIGs provoke the transfer of GPI-proteins from DIGs via LD and adiposomes of donor adipocytes to acceptor adipocytes and thereby mediate the regulation of lipid metabolism by palmitate, H2O2 and glimepiride between adipocytes.
Evaluating Google Flu Trends in Latin America: Important Lessons for the Next Phase of Digital Disease Detection

Background. Latin America has a substantial burden of influenza and rising Internet access and could benefit from real-time influenza epidemic prediction web tools such as Google Flu Trends (GFT) to assist in risk communication and resource allocation during epidemics. However, there has never been a published assessment of GFT's accuracy in most Latin American countries or in any low- to middle-income country. Our aim was to evaluate GFT in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Methods. Weekly influenza-test positive proportions for the eight countries were obtained from FluNet for the period January 2011–December 2014. Concurrent weekly Google-predicted influenza activity in the same countries was abstracted from GFT. Pearson correlation coefficients between observed and Google-predicted influenza activity trends were determined for each country. Permutation tests were used to examine background seasonal correlation between FluNet and GFT by country. Results. There were frequent GFT prediction errors, with correlation ranging from r = −0.53 to 0.91. GFT-predicted influenza activity best correlated with FluNet data in Mexico follow by Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay. Correlation was generally highest in the more temperate countries with more regular influenza seasonality and lowest in tropical regions. A substantial amount of autocorrelation was noted, suggestive that GFT is not fully specific for influenza virus activity. Conclusions. We note substantial inaccuracies with GFT-predicted influenza activity compared with FluNet throughout Latin America, particularly among tropical countries with irregular influenza seasonality. Our findings offer valuable lessons for future Internet-based biosurveillance tools.
Explanation-Based Generalization of Partially Ordered Plans

Most previous work in analytic generalization of plans dealt with totally ordered plans. These methods cannot be directly applied to generalizing partially ordered plans, since they do not capture all interactions among plan operators for all total orders of such plans. In this paper we introduce a new method for generalizing. partially ordered plans. This method is based on providing EBG with explanations which systematically capture the interactions among plan operators for all the total orders of a partially-ordered plan. The explanations are based on the Modal Truth Criterion [2], which states the necessary and sufficient conditions for ensuring the truth of a proposition at any point in a plan (for a class of partially ordered plans). The generalizations obtained by this method guarantee successful and ineraction-free execution of any total order of the generalized plan. In addition the systematic derivation of the generalization algorithms from the Modal Truth Criterion obviates the need for carrying out a separate formal proof of correctness of the EBG algorithms.
Learning the Innovation Journey: Order out of Chaos?

This paper examines whether the developmental process of two biomedical innovations followed either (1) an orderly periodic progression of stages or phases, (2) a random sequence of chance “blind” events, or (3) a seemingly random process of chaotic events. Various diagnostics are applied to distinguish periodic, chaotic, and random patterns in time series data on innovation development events. We find that the actions and outcomes experienced by innovation teams exhibit a chaotic pattern during the initial period of innovation development, and an orderly periodic pattern during the ending development period: however, exogenous context events exhibit a random pattern during both the beginning and ending periods of innovation development. These research findings, if substantiated in other studies, significantly alter prior views of innovation and learning processes. The two most commonly-used explanations of the innovation process, that it follows either an orderly periodic sequence of stages or a random s.
Android Apps Risk Evaluation: a methodology

Android uses a permission-based security model to limit its app's capability. However, the user's decision is almost completely unrelated to the app's risk level due to insucient information. The platform openness and the plethora of available software also make dangerous apps (not necessarily malware) very common. To enhance end-user security awareness, we propose a new approach and tool to evaluate the potential risks of Android app packages. We integrated various static and dynamic analysis techniques into a framework able to detect suspicious activities, map them to ne-grained risk categories and evaluate them with the fuzzy logic algorithm. This tool can retrieve and analyse large quantities of apps automatically and provides a simple logic for other tools to integrate with. Finally, our software has been tested on a large set of real-world samples, both benign and malicious, demonstrating its eciency (4s/app) and a reasonable capacity to evaluate the risk of Android app packages
Hybrid DC–DC Converter With Phase-Shift or Frequency Modulation for NEV Battery Charger

This paper suggests a new hybrid dc-dc converter for a neighborhood electric vehicle battery charger. The proposed converter is based on the conventional phase-shift full-bridge (PSFB) converter with center-tap rectifier. By integrating an LLC series resonant converter into the conventional PSFB converter, the proposed converter has many advantages like wide soft-switching range without duty-cycle loss, zero-current-switching operation of rectifying diodes, minimized circulating current, reduced size of filter inductor, and much better transformer utilization than before presented hybrid dc-dc converters. The proposed converter can be modulated in phase-shift manner or frequency variation. The feasibility of the proposed converter has been verified with the experimental results under an output voltage range of 36-72 V dc at 1 kW.
The association between degree of nicotine dependence and other health behaviours. Findings from a German general population study.

BACKGROUND To investigate the association between degree of nicotine dependence and unhealthy nutrition, lack of physical activity, and hazardous alcohol drinking. METHODS Data with respect to cigarette and alcohol consumption, nutrition, and physical activity was collected in a representative general population sample (N = 4.075). RESULTS Smokers with high compared to moderate and low degrees of nicotine dependence consume unhealthy foods more frequently, report less physical activity and more hazardous alcohol drinking. CONCLUSION From a public health point of view, special secondary preventive interventions for smokers with high nicotine dependence and additional unhealthy behaviours are necessary.
Consumers’ Preferences and Attitudes Toward Local Food Products

Abstract In recent years, consumers’ interest in local food has significantly increased. Several studies in the agricultural economics and marketing literature have analyzed mainly consumers’ preferences for local food products. In this study, we perform a consumer segmentation with regard to consumer behavior toward local food. We collected data from a survey conducted during summer 2010 in Naples, South Italy. Consumer segments were identified taking account of five aspects: (1) food consumption styles; (2) perception of local food; (3) purchasing motives; (4) perceived quality of local food; and (5) sociodemographic characteristics. They could be profiled as ethnocentric consumers, environmentalists, strict localists, and quality labeling oriented.
A new contamination monitor with scintillation detection

Berthold Technologies designed for the measurement of radioactive contaminations on surfaces a new handheld contamination monitor. The instrument is based on innovative scintillation technology and has high sensitivity and uniform response over the entire detection area of 170 cm2. This is achieved by utilizing a sophisticated reflector geometry. The monitor is capable of simultaneous and separate measurement of alpha-particles and of beta-gamma-radiation. The instrument was calibrated with more than 30 radionuclides which are commonly used in research or in nuclear medicine including also several short-lived nuclides like 99mTc or 18F
Synaptotagmin-7 Functions to Replenish Insulin Granules for Exocytosis in Human Islet β-Cells

Synaptotagmin (Syt)-7, a major component of the exocytotic machinery in neurons, is also the major Syt in rodent pancreatic β-cells shown to mediate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). However, Syt-7’s precise exocytotic actions in β-cells remain unknown. We show that Syt-7 is abundant in human β-cells. Adenovirus–short hairpin RNA knockdown (KD) of Syt-7 in human islets reduced first- and second-phase GSIS attributed to the reduction of exocytosis of predocked and newcomer insulin secretory granules (SGs). Glucose stimulation expectedly induced Syt-7 association in a Ca2+-dependent manner with syntaxin-3 and syntaxin-1A soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes known to mediate exocytosis of newcomer and predocked SGs, respectively. However, Syt-7-KD did not disrupt SNARE complex assembly. Instead, electron microscopy analysis showed that Syt-7-KD reduced the recruitment of SGs to the plasma membrane after glucose-stimulated depletion, which could not be rescued by glucagon-like peptide 1 pretreatment. To assess the possibility that this new action of Syt-7 on SG recruitment may involve calmodulin (CaM), pretreatment of islets with CaM blocker calmidazolium showed effects very similar to those of Syt-7-KD. Syt-7 therefore plays a novel more dominant function in the replenishment of releasable SG pools in human β-cells than its previously purported role in exocytotic fusion per se.
Who Offers Veterinary Services to Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Western Kenya? Lessons from Kakamega County

ABSTRACT Liberalization of both clinical and artificial insemination services in Kenya allowed many players into the livestock service sector. This study examines key providers of veterinary services and the factors that influence the delivery of veterinary services among smallholder dairy farmers in Kakamega County. Socio-economic data were collected through a household survey of 128 randomly selected households and 30 purposively selected service providers. The descriptive statistics revealed that 59% of all cases were attended to by animal health assistants, with private animal health assistants attending to 38% of all the cases. The results of the multinomial logit econometric model estimated with self-treatment as the base category revealed a negative influence of distance on the choice of government service providers but a positive relationship with tropical livestock unit, treatment cost and education level of the farmer.
Changes in sleep quality with age–a 36‐year follow‐up study of Finnish working‐aged adults

Long‐term follow‐up data on changes in sleep quality among middle‐aged adults is scarce. We assessed sleep quality in a population‐based cohort (n = 4847) of twins born between 1945 and 1957 during a follow‐up of 36 years, with four measurement points in 1975, 1981, 1990 and 2011. Sleep quality was categorized as sleeping well, fairly well, fairly poorly or poorly. The mean age at the beginning of follow‐up was 24.0, and at the end was 60.3 years. Of all the adults, 71.1% slept well or fairly well at each time‐point throughout the follow‐up and 0.5% poorly or fairly poorly. The proportion of those sleeping poorly or fairly poorly increased linearly over time; 3.5% among both sexes at the start, and 15.5% among men and 20.9% among women at the end of the follow‐up. The last survey indicated a strong association between self‐rated health and sleep quality: sleeping poorly or fairly poorly was reported 15 times more frequently by those rating their health as fairly poor than by those rating their health as very good. There was a strong association between indicators of depression and poor sleep. Although many studies have reported increasing frequencies in sleep problems, our results, based on a long‐term cohort study, indicate that the majority of people sleep well or fairly well. Sleep quality declines with age, but only a very small fraction of the adults in this long follow‐up consistently slept poorly.
Three-dimensional MRI of the musculoskeletal system.

OBJECTIVE The purposes of this review are to describe commonly available 3D MRI techniques and to discuss the literature to date regarding the utility of such techniques in the assessment of internal derangement of joints. CONCLUSION Long acquisition and postprocessing times and limited contrast characteristics have generally prohibited routine use of 3D MRI in clinical practice. However, technical advances, including higher-field-strength MRI systems, high performance gradients, high-resolution multichannel coils, and pulse sequences with shorter acquisition times, have made feasible 3D isotropic MRI with reasonable acquisition times.
Learning mechanisms for designing corporate identity in the banking industry

Purpose – The traditional approach to building a corporate identity relies on a managerial advertising view and is conducted mainly by external consultancy companies. The aim of this study is to introduce a different approach to building a corporate identity that is based on an effective learning mechanism focused on internal stakeholders.Design/methodology/approach – In‐depth interviews with senior bank management were conducted to determine the way in which a new corporate identity was designed and implemented. In addition, written documentation relating to the process of managing the identity was examined as a case study of a subsidiary of an Israeli bank.Findings – The case demonstrates that designing an effective learning mechanism based on internal stakeholders' participation is crucial for the assimilation of a new corporate identity. It has also meaningful impact on increasing profitability and improving satisfaction both among workers and clients.Practical implications – On the basis of this case.
Short food safety videos promote peer networking and behavior change

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to create a series of 30-60-second short videos to promote improved food safety behaviors of middle school youth, determine the feasibility of disseminating the videos through peer networks, and measure their effects on food safety attitudes, perceived social norms, and behaviors of youth. Design/methodology/approach – Food safety content specialists, learning experts, programmers, illustrators, project managers, instructional designers, scriptwriters, and stakeholders were involved in creation of the Don’t Be Gross short videos before evaluation by middle school youth (sixth to eighth grades). The experimental group (n=220) completed the following activities at about one-week intervals: pre-test, viewed videos, post-test, and follow-up test. The control group (n=112) completed the same activities at similar intervals but did not have access to the videos until after the follow-up test. Findings – Controlling for grade and gender, linear mixed-effects models revealed.
Physiochemical Properties of Sago Starch Modified by Acid Treatment in Alcohol

Sago starch is usually chemically modified to overcome and improve the unstable properties of native sago starch during processing. In this study, sago starch was treated in hydrochloric acid in the presence of methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol at 450C for 1 hour. Granule size, granular structure and solubility of the modified starch were investigated. Results showed that recovery yields of the modified starch were in excess of 57% with a maximum recovery of 94%, and the average granule size of the starch ranged from 24.8 to 30.1 µm. Images under light microscope revealed some internal fissures in starch granules after acid-alcohol treatment. Acid concentration had a pronounced effect on the degree of polymerization. The degree of polymerization progressively decreased as the carbon number of the alcohol increased. This study showed that sago starch can be modified through hydrolysis and alcoholysis to give various limit dextrins with high solubility.
Pattern of synchrony in inhomogeneous networks of oscillators with pulse interactions.

Systems of globally coupled oscillators often display states of full synchrony in which all oscillators are phase locked. It is shown that for globally coupled oscillators with neuronlike pulse interactions, the phase-locked state is unstable to inhomogeneity in the local frequency. For weak inhomogeneity the system breaks into two subpopulations: one that is phase locked and another one that consists of aperiodic oscillators. The fruition of the unlocked population remains finite in the limit of vanishing inhomogeneity
Do Modern Technologies Work for the Rural ICT and Rural Credit Institutions in India

This paper explores the impact of various forms and levels of ICT on the performance of rural cooperative banks using recent survey data from India. Findings from the research suggest that modern information technology serves to enhance both the efficiency and profitability of the rural credit institutions. Efficiency was significantly enhanced by the usage of moderate technology at the lower organisational level, e.g. stand-alone computers at the branch level, mobile phone usage at PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Society) and field level. However, profitability appears to be associated with more advanced and sophisticated usage of information technology at branch or lower organisational level. Complementarities in human capital, training in IT skills of the bank staff, absorptive capacity of the customers and community, are of crucial importance for the efficiency of rural cooperative banks. Evidence from this study also suggests that using investment in ICT as a measure of the usage and advancement level of information technology may not reveal the full story of the impact of ICT on the efficiency of organizations.
Chlamydial Colonization of Multiple Mucosae following Infection by Any Mucosal Route

ABSTRACT Chlamydia trachomatis inoculated by any mucosal route colonized multiple murine mucosae and, in most cases, the spleen, liver, and kidneys. Cell-to-cell transmission, systemic dissemination, and autoinoculation of infectious fluids may have contributed to chlamydial spread. Intermucosal trafficking of protective T cells cannot be accurately evaluated by using live chlamydial challenges.
Geographic Genetic Differentiation of a Malaria Parasite, Plasmodium mexicanum, and Its Lizard Host, Sceloporus occidentalis

Abstract Gene flow, and resulting degree of genetic differentiation among populations, will shape geographic genetic patterns and possibly local adaptation of parasites and their hosts. Some studies of Plasmodium falciparum in humans show substantial differentiation of the parasite in locations separated by only a few kilometers, a paradoxical finding for a parasite in a large, mobile host. We examined genetic differentiation of the malaria parasite Plasmodium mexicanum, and its lizard host, Sceloporus occidentalis, at 8 sites in northern California, with the use of variable microsatellite markers for both species. These lizards are small and highly territorial, so we expected local genetic differentiation of both parasite and lizard. Populations of P. mexicanum were found to be differentiated by analysis of 5 markers (Fst values >0.05–0.10) over distances as short as 230–400 m, and greatly differentiated (Fst values >0.25) for sites separated by ∼10 km. In contrast, the lizard host had no, or very low, levels of differentiation for 3 markers, even for sites >40 km distant. Thus, gene flow for the lizard was great, but despite the mobility of the vertebrate host, the parasite was locally genetically distinct. This discrepancy could result if infected lizards move little, but their noninfected relatives were more mobile. Previous studies on the virulence of P. mexicanum for fence lizards support this hypothesis. However, changing prevalence of the parasite, without changes in density of the lizard, could also result in this pattern.