Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adapting to supply chain 4.0: an explorative study of multinational companies

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to examine how multinational companies from five industries can adapt to what we call Supply Chain 4.0; the supply chain created as a result of the new digital era brought forth by the fourth industrial revolution. The focus is limited to three key emerging trends this development is seeing; Big Data, cloud computing and 3D printing. This study is carried out through a literature review and empirical findings from a series of interviews, and an explorative survey. The literature review identified a substantial difference in compatibility between industry level and the digital transformation Supply Chain 4.0 implies. Empirical findings showed that among the investigated trends, 3D printing was considered to have a major impact on Supply Chain 4.0. Its use though has been limited due to uncertainty among the supply chain stakeholders about its true added value in a cost/benefit perspective. Moreover, multinationals showed a strong preference for Big Data implementations, but only had limited focus on cloud computing applications. This paper presents a graphical framework meant to give practitioners a better description and understanding of the issues that have been debated concerning Supply Chain 4.0, their adaptability and their strengths and challenges.
Student Housing a Resilient Housing Rental Market: Case of Federal Polytechnic Neighbourhood Bauchi, Nigeria

In the last three decades globally higher institutions (HIs) have been experiencing an unprecedented upsurge in student population and student enrolment in His generally outstrip the HIs student housing. In many countries of the world like Nigeria, HIs are obviously incapacitated in accommodating the growing student population which compelled numerous students to overflow into their HIs’ neighbourhood seeking for alternative housing accommodation in the private housing rental market. Indeed the scenario of HIs student's housing shortfalls and increasing students housing demand evolved the interest of many people in a student housing rental market. This is because it has been uncovered that business in student housing rental is lucrative and guaranteeing business that ensured profit for a long term. This paper, therefore, explores the nature and landscape of student housing rental in Nigeria where the business is immature then drawn the conclusion.
Efficacy of antidepressants in LLD

We were delighted, but surprised, by the publication success of our first pilot trial on the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat late life depression (LLD) (Manes et al., 2001). This preliminary study had major limitations – for example, the small sample size and the use of both a non-therapeutic dose of rTMS and a defective method of sham stimulation. However, it addressed an important clinical problem for which we still do not have a satisfactory solution: how do we treat LLD that has been resistant to the usual therapeutic approaches in a safe and efficient way? In order to give a tentative response to this question we need to describe briefly the characteristics of LLD, the available evidence regarding the efficacy of common antidepressants in this condition, and the role that coexisting cerebrovascular disease plays in treatment response.
Polypropylene Ankle Foot Orthoses to Overcome Drop-Foot Gait in Central Neurological Patients: A Mechanical and Functional Evaluation

The aim of this study was to assess the functional effects and mechanical contribution of Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO) prescribed to overcome drop-foot gait. We hypothesized that poor functional effects of the AFO relate to insufficient mechanical contribution of the AFO during the swing phase, or unwanted constraining of the ankle during the stance phase. In seven patients with Stroke or Multiple Sclerosis, we determined changes in energy cost of walking resulting from wearing an AFO, as a measure of the functional effects. In addition, an instrumented gait analysis was performed, and the mechanical AFO properties were measured, to calculate the mechanical contribution of the AFO. The AFO was sufficiently stiff to effectively support the foot in swing, without hampering the ankle during stance. For the whole group, there was a significant improvement in walking speed and energy cost (12%). However, the AFO had no functional benefit in terms of a reduced energy cost of walking for three patients, who coherently demonstrated no pathological plantar flexion during swing without their AFO. We conclude that functional benefit from the AFO was only found when the mechanical AFO characteristics met the need to support the patients‘ mechanical deficiencies.
Experimentally increased in ovo testosterone leads to increased plasma bactericidal activity and decreased cutaneous immune response in nestling house wrens

SUMMARY Maternally derived testosterone in the eggs of birds may benefit nestlings by increasing various aspects of their growth, condition and behavioral development, but these benefits may come at a cost, including suppression of immune responsiveness. Experiments on a variety of species in which in ovo levels of testosterone have been experimentally increased have produced mixed results; some have found increased growth and suppressed immune function of nestlings whereas others have found the opposite. In an attempt to clarify the relationship between in ovo testosterone and nestling size, mass, health state and immune responsiveness, we experimentally increased levels of testosterone in the eggs of house wrens (Troglodytes aedon). We simultaneously determined the size, mass, hematocrit (a measure of health state), cutaneous immune response to phytohaemagglutinin and plasma bactericidal activity of nestlings near the time of fledging. We predicted that nestlings hatching from testosterone-injected eggs would exhibit lower immune responsiveness, but achieve greater mass, size and condition, than nestlings hatching from vehicle-injected control eggs. Instead, we found that nestlings hatching from testosterone-injected eggs had a weaker cutaneous immune response but greater bactericidal activity than those hatching from control eggs. They did not, however, differ significantly in mass, size or hematocrit from controls. These results suggest that experimentally increased in ovo testosterone induced a trade-off between bactericidal activity and the cutaneous immune response. The opposite responses by two different measures of immune function to experimentally increased in ovo testosterone underscore the importance of including multiple immune assays when investigating the potential for trade-offs with the immune system and other physiological functions.
A Modified Tempered Stable Distribution with Volatility Clustering

We first introduce a new variant of the tempered stable distribution, named the modified tempered stable(MTS) distribution and we use it to develop the GARCH option pricing model with MTS innovations. This model allows one to describe some stylized phenomena observed in financial markets such as volatility clustering, skewness, and heavy tails of the return distribution.
Assessment of the effects of adjunctive gabapentin on postoperative pain after intervertebral disc surgery in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of adjunctive gabapentin (GBP) on pain after thoracolumbar intervertebral disc surgery in dogs. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized, controlled, clinical, 'blinded' trial. ANIMALS Sixty-three client owned dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy METHODS Dogs were assigned to two treatment groups. The GBP group received gabapentin 10 mg kg(-1) orally every 12 hours starting before anaesthesia; the placebo (P) group received empty gelatin capsules. Background analgesia was initiated with intravenous levomethadone 0.6 mg kg(-1) (as the combination 'L-Polamivet) at anaesthesia induction, followed by a fentanyl patch and levomethadone 0.2 mg kg(-1) subcutaneously every 8 hours for 24 hours. Pain was assessed by the short form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Score (CMPS-SF) without the gait category, and by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Serum GBP concentrations and cortisol concentrations were measured. Statistical analyses utilized chi square test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, two-way analysis of variances for repeated measurements, Wilcoxon test and Friedmann test as relevant. Correlations were tested by Spearman's and Pearson's correlation coefficient. p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Median CMPS-SF was lower in group GBP than in group P on days 0.5, 1, 4 and 5. However, CMPS-SF and VAS were not significantly different between groups. Both pain scores decreased significantly over time. Cortisol concentrations were not significantly different between groups. Minimum serum concentrations of GBP fell below the detection limit of 1 μg mL(-1) in 6 of 29 and 7 of 28 dogs at 24 and 72 hours, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE 10 mg kg(-1) GBP orally twice a day did not result in a detectable reduction in pain behaviour compared to background opioid analgesia alone, although a trend to lower pain levels (p < 0.1) was present. Further studies are needed to determine if this is related to effective background analgesia or an ineffective dose of GBP.
Evaluation of two bioluminescence-measuring instruments, the Turner Design and Lumac systems, for the rapid screening of urine specimens

Two bioluminescence-measuring instruments, the Turner Design and Lumac systems, were compared with a standard plate culture method for their ability to rapidly screen 400 urine specimens. For cultures with less than 1,000 CFU/ml the Turner Design, with old and new evaluation formulas, gave 6.5 and 50.6% false-positive results, respectively, versus 17.6% at greater than or equal to 500 relative light units with the Lumac. For cultures which had greater than 10(5) CFU/ml the Turner Design gave 39% (old formula) and 14% (new formula) false-negative results compared with 4% at less than 200 relative units with the Lumac. The microorganisms most frequently isolated in the false-negative cultures from either system were gram-positive cocci. Predictive values for a positive test at greater than 10(5) CFU/ml were 77.4% (old formula) and 35.7% (new formula) for the Turner Design versus only 50% for the Lumac at greater than or equal to 500 relative light units. Predictive values for a negative test for both instruments were greater than 88% at greater than 10(5) CFU/ml. The Turner Design and Lumac systems were 4.0 and 3.7 times as expensive, respectively, as the plate culture method. Although both systems greatly reduce the time required to process urine specimens, their high costs as compared with that of plate culture, their failure to detect many specimens having greater than 10(5) CFU of gram-positive cocci per ml, and the numerous false-positives reported by both instruments suggest that additional improvements in the systems are warranted.
CELL SURFACE IMMUNOGLOBULIN

Cells from an established line of Burkitt lymphoma (Daudi) were enzymatically radioiodinated, and labeled Ig from the cell surface was isolated and studied. Subcellular fractionation of labeled cells confirmed that intracellular proteins from the cytoplasm are not iodinated by this method. Radioactive Ig was identified as monomeric (8S) IgM, and an average of 105 Ig molecules was found per cell. Ig molecules could be released from the plasma membrane by detergent lysis under nonreducing conditions indicating that attachment of Ig to the plasma membrane occurs via noncovalent interactions. The ratio of µ/L radioactivity in surface Ig was the same as that of total cellular Ig radioiodinated in solution suggesting that a large portion of the Fc fragment is not buried within the membrane. In contrast to the results obtained with cell surface Ig, most intracellular Ig was found as "free" µ- and L chains regardless of whether lysates were labeled with 125I or cells were labeled with leucine-3H. The results indicate that only a small percentage of the total Ig of Daudi cells is associated with the cell surface and suggest that covalent assembly of Ig occurs at or near the time that the molecule becomes part of the plasma membrane. Similarities between cell surface Ig on normal splenic lymphocytes and Daudi cells suggest that the latter is a neoplasm of bone marrow-derived lymphocytes.
Social capital and attitudes towards physical activity among youth at summer camps: a longitudinal analysis of personal development and environmental awareness as mediators

ABSTRACT Using data from the Canadian Summer Camp Research Project (CSCRP), we examined the association between social capital and attitudes toward physical activity in wilderness summer camp settings. In our analysis, we examined the potential role of environmental awareness and personal development as mediators of the association between social capital and physical activity. The results suggest environmental awareness and personal development partially explain the association of social capital and attitudes toward physical activity. An improved understanding of the mechanisms which contribute to increased attitudes toward physical activity could be critical in making recommendations to future camp leaders, sports leaders, and even school physical activity programmers. To effectively leverage the potential positive benefits of summer camps, with respect to physical activity, programmers should consider developing programmes that build social capital and increase environmental awareness and personal development factors.
When Celebrities Count: Power Distance Beliefs and Celebrity Endorsements

The use of celebrity endorsements varies across countries; does their effectiveness similarly vary across cultures? The authors propose that power distance beliefs (PDB), a cultural orientation related to the extent to which people expect and accept differences in power, moderate the effects of celebrity endorsements. A positive effect of celebrity endorsers on evaluations of advertising should be more potent with greater PDB; source expertise and trustworthiness likely underlie this effect. To test the hypotheses, the authors use moderated mediation analyses, with corrections for measurement error and endogeneity of the mediators (source expertise and trustworthiness). The results of three studies, using both manipulated and measured PDB for respondents in different countries and with a variety of endorsers, demonstrate that PDB determine the effectiveness of celebrity endorsements on attitudes toward the advertisement and the brand. In support of the moderated mediation model, perceptions of source expertise and trust mediate the effect of celebrity endorsements, conditional on PDB. The results hold for nondurables but do not generalize to durable products.
Youth soccer players, 11–14 years: Maturity, size, function, skill and goal orientation

Background: Participants in many youth sports are commonly combined into age groups spanning 2 years. Aim: The study compared variation in size, function, sport-specific skill and goal orientation associated with differences in biological maturity status of youth soccer players within two competitive age groups. Methods: The sample included 159 male soccer players in two competitive age groups, 11–12 years (n=87) and 13–14 years (n=72). Weight, height, sitting height and four skinfolds, four functional capacities, four soccer skills and goal orientation were measured. Skeletal maturity was assessed using the Fels method. Each player was classified as late, on time or early maturing based on the difference between skeletal and chronological ages. ANOVA was used to compare characteristics of players across maturity groups. Results: Late, on time and early maturing boys are represented among 11–12-year-olds, but late maturing boys are under-represented among 13–14-year-olds. Players in each age group advanced in maturity are taller and heavier than those on time and late in skeletal maturity, but players of contrasting maturity status do not differ, with few exceptions, in functional capacities, soccer-specific skills and goal orientation. Conclusion: Variation in body size associated with maturity status in youth soccer players is similar to that for adolescent males in general, but soccer players who vary in maturity status do not differ in functional capacities, soccer-specific skills and goal orientation.
Transcriptional Activation of the Bacillus subtilis ackA Gene Requires Sequences Upstream of the Promoter

ABSTRACT Transcriptional activation of the Bacillus subtilis ackA gene, encoding acetate kinase, was previously shown to require catabolite control protein A (CcpA) and sequences upstream of the ackA promoter. CcpA, which is responsible for catabolite repression of a number of secondary carbon source utilization genes in B. subtilis and other gram-positive bacteria, recognizes a cis-acting consensus sequence, designated cre (catabolite response element), generally located within or downstream of the promoter of the repressed gene. Two sites resembling this sequence are centered at positions −116.5 and −56.5 of the ackA promoter and have been termedcre1 and cre2, respectively. Synthesis of acetate kinase, which is involved in the conversion of acetyl coenzyme A to acetate, is induced when cells are grown in the presence of an easily metabolized carbon source such as glucose. In this study,cre2, the site closer to the promoter, and the region upstream of cre2 were shown to be indispensable for CcpA-dependent transcriptional activation of ackA, whereascre1 was not required. In addition, insertion of 5 bp between cre2 and the promoter disrupted activation, while 10 bp was tolerated, suggesting face-of-the-helix dependence of the position of cre2 and/or upstream sequences. DNase footprinting experiments demonstrated binding of CcpA in vitro tocre2 but not cre1, consistent with the genetic data. Activation of ackA transcription was blocked in aptsH1/crh double mutant, suggesting involvement of this pathway in CcpA-mediated transcriptional activation.
Central tolerance to self revealed by the autoimmune regulator

The autoimmune regulator (Aire) was initially identified as the gene causing multiorgan system autoimmunity in humans, and deletion of this gene in mice also resulted in organ‐specific autoimmunity. Aire regulates the expression of tissue‐specific antigens (TSAs) in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), which play a critical role in the negative selection of autoreactive T cells and the generation of regulatory T cells. More recently, the role of Aire in the development of mTECs has helped elucidate its ability to present the spectrum of TSAs needed to prevent autoimmunity. Molecular characterization of the functional domains of Aire has revealed multiple binding partners that assist Aire's function in altering gene transcription and chromatin remodeling. These recent advances have further highlighted the importance of Aire in central tolerance.
Eating Disorders and Alcohol Use Disorders

Alcoholism and eating disorders frequently co-occur and often co-occur in the presence of other psychiatric and personality disorders. Although this co-occurrence suggests the possibility of common or shared factors in the etiology of these two problems, research to date has not established such links. Regardless of the precise meaning of the association, the reality that eating disorders and alcohol use disorders frequently co-occur has important implications for assessment, treatment, and future research.
A Human Cardiopulmonary Model: Extension to LV Dysfunction

We update a cardiopulmonary (CP) model previously developed by our group, more convincingly validate the model with additional hemodynamic and echocardiographic data, and demonstrate the utility of the model by extending it to the simulation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) via a simple parameter change. The model has considerable potential for the characterization of complex cardiopulmonary diseases such as right or left ventricular failure, valve dysfunction, primary pulmonary hypertension, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
T (Thomsen–Friedenreich) antigen and other simple mucin‐type carbohydrate antigens in precursor lesions of gastric carcinoma

In a previous report we suggested that T antigen appeared to be associated with gastric carcinoma. To verify this hypothesis and characterize the pattern of expression of simple‐mucin type carbohydrate antigens (Tn. sialyl‐Tn and T before and after neuraminidase) in normal gastric mucosa and precursor lesions of gastric carcinoma, we studied the mucosa adjacent to 100 cases of gastric carcinoma, gastric biopsies of 60 dyspeptic patients, eight adenomatous polyps and eight hyperplastic polyps. The expression of the antigens was more related to the cell type and underlying lesions than to the coexistence of carcinoma. The most distinctive findings concerned intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and hyperplastic lesions. In intestinal metaplasia, Tn was found mostly in columnar cells and sialyl‐Tn in goblet cells. T was more prevalent in incomplete intestinal metaplasia than in complete. A high prevalence of sialyl‐Tn expression and cell membrane immunoreactivity for T antigen, similar to those previously found in gastric carcinomas, were observed in three adenomatous polyps, one hyperplastic polyp, five cases of adenomatous dysplasia in the neighbourhood of intestinal carcinomas and four cases of marked foveolar hyperplasia, three of which were from the mucosa adjacent to diffuse carcinomas. We conclude that adenomatous and hyperplastic lesions share with gastric carcinomas features of aberrant glycosylation, namely the cell membrane expression of T antigen.
What motivates developing countries to diversify sources of renewable energy

This paper investigates the determinants of diversification of nonhydro renewable energy sources using a substantially larger data set covering 117 developing countries over the period 1980 – 2011. We use a novel variable capturing diversification of nonhydro renewable energy sources (geothermal, solar, wind, waste and biomass) and explore several estimation techniques such as two-part model, negative binomial and Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood. Results show that higher per capita income, implementation of policies promoting renewable energy, advances in technological innovation and improvement in human capital promotes diversification. Although the results are consistent with the literature, this study differentiates itself by including the nonlinear effect of income. Results show that nonlinear effect of income is evident across specifications suggesting non-monotonic changes in diversification as developing countries get more affluent. In addition, concerns related to energy security such as high dependence on foreign sources of fuel and increasing world market price for crude oil will push developing countries to diversify sources of nonhydro renewable energy. In contrast, local abundance of hydropower and availability of natural resource like oil impede diversification. Finally, we find robust evidence that Kyoto Protocol positively influence diversification of nonhydro renewable energy sources in developing countries but no conclusive results can be claimed for financial sector development. This suggests that progressive integration of diversified renewables in developing countries’ energy mix can be hastened given relevant policy mix and favorable economic conditions. JEL classification: O13, Q42, Q48