Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Old World screwworm fly, Chrysomya bezziana, occurs as two geographical races

Abstract. A morphological and molecular analysis was undertaken with the objective of identifying markers for geographical populations of Old World screwworm flies, Chrysomya bezziana Villeneuve (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The morphological analysis involved 192 adult flies from 14 countries, and the molecular analysis involved 45 larvae or adults from 14 populations in 11 countries. Principal components and cluster analysis of 10 morphological characters indicated that flies from Papua New Guinea (PNG) were a distinct group and most similar to flies from nearby Asian islands (Java, Sabah). There was poor resolution of other geographical regions, but some support for clustering of flies from Africa or India. Cladistic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences gave strong support for recognizing two races of Old World screwworm, one from sub‐Saharan Africa and the other from the Gulf region and Asia. This latter race could be further divided into two lineages, i.e. one from mainland Asia (from Iraq to the Malay Peninsula) and the other from two islands of PNG.
Antifibrotic Effects of Smad4 Small Interfering RNAs in Injured Skeletal Muscle After Acute Contusion

Muscle injuries are common musculoskeletal problems encountered in sports medicine clinics. In this study, we examined the effect of lentivirus-mediated small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Smad4 on the suppression of the fibrosis in injured skeletal muscles. We found that Smad4-siRNA could efficiently knock down the expression of Smad4 in the C2C12 myoblast cells and in the contunded mice gastrocnemius muscle. The expression of mRNA level of Smad4 decreased to 11% and 49% compared to the control group, respectively, and the expression of protein level decreased to 13% and 57% respectively. Moreover, the lentivirus-mediated siRNA was stably transfected only into the skeletal muscle and not into the liver of the animals. In contunded mice gastrocnemius, the collagenous and vimentin-positive area in the Smad4 siRNA group reduced to 36% and 37% compared to the control group, respectively. Furthermore, compared to the scrambled Smad4 siRNA-injected mice and PBS control-injected mice, the muscle function of the mice injected with lentivirus-mediated Smad4 siRNA improved in terms of both fast-twitch and tetanic strength (P<0.05). The results suggest that the gene therapy of inhibiting Smad4 by lentivirus-mediated siRNA could be a useful approach to prevent scar tissue formation and improve the function of injured skeletal muscle.
Does Mandatory Auditor Rotation Increase Audit Quality? A Test of Indonesian Ministry of Finance’s Decree Effectiveness

We investigate whether auditor’s mandatory rotation affects audit quality. In specific, we test the effectiveness of Ministry of Finance’s (MOF) decree no. 423/2002. Following some other studies that investigate audit quality, we use discretionary accruals as the proxy for audit quality. Our test result suggests that audit quality is lower after the rotation than before the rotation. This result is surprisingly unexpected since we expect post-rotation auditor will be more skeptical and more conservative to its new client and, therefore, will push the discretionary accrual down. We conjecture that auditors have anticipated the MOF decree for two reasons. Firstly, more than half of our sampled rotations (58%) take place on 2002 or 85% of sampled firms by 2003. It indicates that companies and their auditors have anticipated this decree. Secondly, some local accounting firms dissolve their partnerships and re-establish a new one while both of them retaining their foreign associates. If the pre- and post-mandatory auditors are in fact the same accounting firm, since they have the same foreign affiliation, there is no surprise that we will not observe some changes in the audit the quality. In this research, we, however, consider this switch as a mandatory rotation since lawfully the company is audited by different auditor. Our samples are suffers from this limitation.
Novel metrics to quantify the impacts of frequency support provision methods by wind power

This paper introduces two novel metrics to judge the capability and influence of wind power to provide virtual inertia response (i.e. frequency support). The first metric considers the generation unit (i.e. wind turbine generator (WTG)/wind farm (WF) vs. synchronous generator). This metric is applied to compare between three different methods of provision of frequency support. The second metric assess the improvement or hindering in frequency response at the point of common coupling (PCC) between a WF and a synchronous area. This metric is critical especially to WFs that are connected via High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) or Low-frequency AC links. Both metrics are universal so that they could be applied to any support method, and any power system. The first metric is applied to assess the virtual inertia response of an offshore WF, which is considered as a power plant along with the HVDC transmission link. Results assure the positive impact of the provision of frequency support by wind power. This impact is quantified could be used to tune frequency support controllers, and optimize system planning. It is verified that no obstacles are implied by the HVDC link to integrating frequency support methods, as the WF dominates the support process.
Single-Arm Evaluation of the AccuCirc Device for Early Infant Male Circumcision in Botswana

Abstract:Existing devices for early infant male circumcision (EIMC) have inherent limitations. We evaluated the newly developed AccuCirc device by circumcising 151 clinically well, full-term male infants with birth weight ≥2.5 kg within the first 10 days of life from a convenience sample in 2 hospitals in Botswana. No major adverse events were observed. There was 1 local infection, 5 cases of minor bleeding, and 1 case of moderate bleeding. In 3 cases, the device made only partial incisions that were completed immediately by the provider without complications. Parental satisfaction was high: >96% of mothers stated that they would circumcise a future son. The pre-assembled, sterile AccuCirc kit has the potential to overcome obstacles related to supply chain management and on-site instrument disinfection that can pose challenges in resource-limited settings. In our study, the AccuCirc was safe and it should be considered for programmatic EIMC in resource-limited settings.
Smaller regional volumes of brain gray and white matter demonstrated in breast cancer survivors exposed to adjuvant chemotherapy

Previous studies have shown cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors who were exposed to adjuvant chemotherapy. Neural damage by chemotherapy might have played some part in these findings. The current study explored the regional brain volume difference between breast cancer survivors exposed to adjuvant chemotherapy (C+) and those unexposed (C−).
Retrieval of Commercials based on Dynamics of Color Flows

The huge amount of data associated with videos complicates the extraction of salient information content descriptors from low-level video features. Commercials, are a video category where large part of the content depends on low-level perceptual features, especially colors and color dynamics. These are related to changes? in terms of shrinking, growth and translation? of colored regions over consecutive frames. By changing its shape and position over consecutive frames, each region defines a three-dimensional (3D) volume: a color flow. In this paper, a system is presented that allows retrieval of commercials based on color flow similarity. The system relies on automatic extraction of color flows, and description of color flows based on 3D wavelet decomposition.
Online Fault Tolerance Technique for TSV-Based 3-D-IC

This brief presents the design, validation, and evaluation of an efficient online fault tolerance technique for fault detection and recovery in presence of three through-silicon-vias (TSV) defects: 1) voids; 2) delamination between TSV and landing pad; and 3) TSV short-to-substrate. The technique employs transition delay test for TSV fault detection. Fault recovery is achieved by employing redundant TSVs and rerouting signals to fault-free TSVs. This technique is efficient because it requires a small (2× number of TSVs per group) number of clock cycles for fault detection and recovery. Synthesis results using 130-nm design library show that 100% repair capability can be achieved with low area overhead (4% for the best case).
The Marketing concept in the 21st century: A review of how Marketing has been defined since the 1960s

The concept of marketing has been debated and evaluated regularly since marketing was recognised as a distinctive discipline and domain. Many definitions of marketing have been put forward over the years as each generation tries to capture what marketing is and what it means to them. Over the past 50 years, marketing has been redefined to fit new contexts, for example in not-for-profit, political and social sectors. In more recent years, new technology, techniques and media have brought with them more opportunities for re-defining marketing. These definitions often appear to dilute the meaning of marketing in some way, with the words marketing, sales, advertising, customer service and interactions used interchangeably and adapted by marketers or salespeople to suit their own job focus. Many definitions describe different facets and related terms but they do not always convey the much broader ideology and process that is part of marketing. Against this background this paper selects key definitions of marketing from the past 50 years and evaluates the differing perspectives offered by those definitions throughout the decades. Recurring themes used in definitions are presented decade by decade so that themes can be summarised and comparisons made. It then discusses the value and use of both traditional and more flexible definitions and interpretations of marketing for the 21st century.
A Model for Strategic Supplier Selection

SUMMARY The purchasing function for some time now has been receiving increasing importance as a critical supply chain management component. This is mainly due to the significant impact of material costs on profits, increased investments in advanced manufacturing and information technologies, and a growing emphasis on Just-In-Time GIT) production. The critical objectives of purchasing departments include obtaining the product at the right cost in the right quantity with the right quality at the right time from the right source. This requires executing effective decisions concerning supplier selection and evaluation. This article addresses the supplier selection process. This model for evaluation and selection of suppliers considers multiple factors that include strategic, operational, tangible, and intangible measures. The model also allows for input from a variety of managerial decisionmaking levels and considers the dynamic aspects of the competitive environment in evaluating suppliers. An empirical case illustration demonstrates the efficacy of the model. The results provide interesting managerial implications.
Consumer Complaints by E-Mail: An Exploratory Investigation of Corporate Responses and Customer Reactions

Effective consumer complaint handling via postal mail, telephone, and in-person has been shown to increase customer satisfaction and build long-term relationships. Is the same true for complaints by e-mail? This study fills a void in the literature by exploring company responses to genuine complaints via e-mail and consumer reactions to these responses. In this study 47% of the firms responded to complaint e-mails and this resulted in higher customer satisfaction, purchase likelihood, and other perception measures. Additionally, response e-mails that were received quickly, addressed the specific problem, and were signed with an employee's name resulted in higher consumer satisfaction. Many unexpected results emerged in this study, especially relating to response content variables such as addressing the customer by name and forms of customer redress: important CRM findings.
Is prostacyclin responsible for producing the hyperdynamic response during early sepsis?

Objective: Although polymicrobial sepsis is characterized by an early hyperdynamic phase (2‐10 hrs after cecal ligation and puncture [CLP]), followed by a late hypodynamic phase (20 hrs after CLP), it remains unknown whether prostacyclin or prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) plays a significant role in modulating the hyperdynamic state during early sepsis. The aim of this study was to determine whether inhibition of PGI2 synthesis prevents the occurrence of the hyperdynamic response during early sepsis. Design: Prospective, controlled animal study. Setting: A university research laboratory. Subjects: Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to sepsis by CLP. Interventions and Measurements: Blood samples were collected at 2, 5, 10, or 20 hrs after CLP, and plasma concentrations of PGI2, in the form of its stable product 6‐keto‐PGF1α, were measured by radioimmunoassay. In additional studies, a PGI2 synthase inhibitor, tranylcypromine, was administered subcutaneously at the time of CLP and again at 3 hrs after CLP. At 5 hrs after the onset of sepsis, the maximal rates of the left ventricular pressure rise (+dP/dtmax) and fall (−dP/dtmax) were determined by an in vivo heart performance analyzer. Microvascular blood flow in the liver, small intestine, and spleen was assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry. Main Results: Plasma concentrations of 6‐keto‐PGF1α increased significantly at 2‐20 hrs after CLP. At 5 hrs after the onset of sepsis, ±dP/dtmax and microvascular blood flow in the tested tissues increased significantly. Inhibition of PGI2 synthase activity did not prevent the occurrence of hypercardiovascular responses under such conditions. Moreover, the administration of tranyl‐cypromine significantly reduced circulating concentrations of 6‐keto‐PGF1α at 5 hrs after CLP. Conclusions: Because inhibition of PGI2 production did not prevent the occurrence of the hyperdynamic and hypercardiovascular response during the early stage of sepsis, mediators other than PGI2 appear to play a major role in producing the hyperdynamic response under such conditions.
Prediction of magnetic field radiation using equivalent current distribution

Near field measurement has commonly been used as an efficient and effective method for EMC diagnosis purpose for prediction of electromagnetic field radiation in an electronic circuit design; the near field values are obtained on scattered points on the measurement plane. In the paper, we investigated a novel method in predicting the magnetic field radiation using measurement of only a single magnetic field component, by reconstruction of an equivalent current source of the interpolated measurement data. Numerical tests have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method.
New controllable noise suppression methods for near-magnetic field radiations on PCB using small active component circuits

A new method for suppressing near-magnetic field generated around a printed circuit board (PCB) is proposed. To implement this kind of noise suppression device, active components such as a varactor diode are introduced, thus realizing a small noise suppression circuit printed on the PCB with controllable resonant functions. Because the configuration of the small resonant circuit is designed to resonate with external unwanted magnetic fields, their propagation can be prevented on the PCB. Moreover, because of the introduction of active circuit components, the frequency of the field that should be suppressed can be controlled externally by changing the bias voltage. In this paper, the structure and validity of the noise suppression circuit printed on the PCB are clarified.
Efficacy of Neural Mobilization In Treatment of Low Back Dysfunctions

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of lumbar mobilization techniques and neural mobilization technique on sciatic pain, functional disabilities, centralization of symptoms in patients, latency of Hoffmann reflex, and of degree of nerve root compromise in chronic low back dysfunction (LBD). Pre-test post-test group design has been used. Sixty patients with chronic (LBD) from both sexes were involved, aged between 30 – 60 years. They were divided into two equal groups, Group (A) received lumbar spine mobilization and exercise intervention and Group (B) received Straight leg raising stretching (SLR) in addition to lumbar mobilization and exercise. Self-report measures included a body diagram to assess the distribution of symptoms, numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Patients recorded the location of their symptoms on the body diagram to determine the extent to which centralization occurred after treatment, The results of study revealed that: there was a significant difference between both groups on pain (p = 0.006), functional disabilities improvement (0.001), location of symptoms (p = 0.083) and sciatic nerve root compression (p = 0.035). However there is no significant Differences in H-reflex latency (p = 0.873) between group A and group B (post test). It is concluded that straight leg raising (SLR) stretching may be beneficial in the management of patients with LBD. SLR stretching in addition to lumbar spine mobilization and exercise was beneficial in improving pain, reducing short-term disability and promoting centralization of symptoms in this group of patients. [Sahar M. Adel Efficacy of Neural Mobilization in Treatment of Low Back Dysfunctions. Journal of American http://www.americanscience. org 1003). N: 1545 ]. (ISS 573 566 Science 2011;7(4):
Effects of salinity on expression of the salt overly sensitive genes in Aeluropus lagopoides

In this study, seeds of Aeluropus lagopoides were cultured in hydroponic medium supplemented by 1/2 MS medium. After 21 days, seedlings were treated with NaCl (600 mM), ABA (abscisic acid) (50 uM), Ca2SO4 (5 mM), NaCl+Ca2SO4, NaCl+ABA and Ca2SO4+ABA. Expression analysis of the A. lagopoides salt overly sensitive genes (SOS1, SOS2 and SOS3) was done by Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR. The SOS ESTs were isolated, cloned and sequenced. SOS1 and SOS2 expression were up- regulated in response to NaCl and NaCl+Ca2SO4 in roots and roots and shoots, respectively. SOS3 expression was increased in almost all treatments in shoots. Results showed that ABA regulated the SOS pathway by enhancing SOS2 and SOS3 expressions in roots and shoots, respectively.
Novel Genomic Effects of Glucocorticoids in Epidermal Keratinocytes

Glucocorticoids (GCs) have a long history of use as therapeutic agents for numerous skin diseases. Surprisingly, their specific molecular effects are largely unknown. To characterize GC action in epidermis, we compared the transcriptional profiles of primary human keratinocytes untreated and treated with dexamethasone (DEX) for 1, 4, 24, 48, and 72 h using large scale microarray analyses. The majority of genes were found to be regulated only after 24 h and remained regulated throughout treatment. In addition to regulation of the expected pro-inflammatory genes, we found that GCs regulate cell fate, tissue remodeling, cell motility, differentiation, and metabolism. GCs suppress the expression of essentially all IFNγ-regulated genes, including IFNγ receptor and STAT-1, an effect that was previously unknown. GCs also block STAT-1 activation and nuclear translocation. Unexpectedly, GCs induce the expression of anti-apoptotic genes and repress pro-apoptotic ones, preventing UV-induced keratinocyte apoptosis. Consequently, treatment with GCs blocked UV-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes. GCs have profound effect on wound healing by inhibiting cell motility and the expression of the proangiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor. They play an important role in tissue remodeling and scar formation by suppressing the expression of TGFβ1 and -2 and MMP1, -2, -9, and -10 and inducing TIMP-2. Finally, GCs promote terminal epidermal differentiation while simultaneously inhibiting early stage differentiation. These results provide new insights into the beneficial and adverse effects of GCs in the epidermis, defining the participating genes and mechanisms that coordinate the cellular responses important for GC-based therapies.
Tunneling Field-Effect Transistor: Capacitance Components and Modeling

We report a numerical simulation study of gate capacitance components in a tunneling field-effect transistor (TFET), showing key differences in the partitioning of gate capacitance between the source and drain as compared with a MOSFET. A compact model for TFET capacitance components, including parasitic and inversion capacitances, was built and calibrated with computer-aided design data. This model should be useful for further investigation of performance of circuits containing TFETs. The dependence of gate-drain capacitance Cgd on drain design and gate length was further investigated for reduction of switching delay in TFETs.
Exploring brand confusion through hotel adverts

Brand confusion takes place when a person views an advertisement for a particular brand as a communication about a different brand. The purpose of this study is to investigate the problem of brand confusion in advertising and more specifically, to study into more depth some of the parameters that lead to brand confusion in print advertising of international hotel-chains. This study was conducted in 127 men and women, and based on 17 international hotel-chain advertisements. Respondents were selected through quota sampling, using age and education as variables. Consumer characteristics and the dependent variable ‘brand confusion’ were measured through a questionnaire completed during interview, while print advertisements were presented followed by a set of questions containing measures of the attitude towards the advertisement. The purpose of this study was to explore the issue of brand confusion in advertising of international hotel chains, a topic never surveyed in the past. This study was limited to a specific product category (international hotel chains), hence practical implications should be formulated with caution. Nevertheless, the following suggestions seem to be valid: The affective reaction to hotel advertisement is very important; advertisement likeability leads to less hotel brand confusion; hotel advertisements should be distinctive and not too information dense; building awareness, loyalty and involvement reduce brand confusion.