Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does a Balanced Scorecard Management Cockpit Increase Strategy Implementation Performance? Findings of a series of experiments using a system dynamics based micro-world

In various articles and books, Kaplan and Norton maintain that use of a Balanced Scorecard (BSC) will increase an organization's ability to execute its strategy and therefore ultimately improve its performance. They substantiate their hypothesis with numerous cases for which they report “breakthrough performance”. Nonetheless, published empirical evidence for the BSC’s positive impact on performance is sparse. This article aims to contribute to the empirical research on the BSC’s performance impact describing a laboratory experiment. Using a computer-based feedback-rich micro-world, the subjects were placed in a top manager position. Their task was to implement a given strategy as best as they could, which meant to translate strategy into operational decisions over a period of 10 years. The experiment group was equipped with a BSC management cockpit that was carefully tailored to the strategy, while the control group had to rely on traditional reports as information source. The experiment data are used to test the hypothesis that subjects provided with the BSC cockpit perform better than the control group. Statistical analysis shows that this hypothesis could not be rejected. The BSC cockpit indeed had a positive impact on performance. Some possible explanations for this finding are discussed and issues for further research are outlined.
Despite Catch-Up, Prolonged Growth Has Detrimental Fitness Consequences in a Long-Lived Vertebrate

Individuals experiencing poor growth early in life may later make up their size deficit. Compensatory growth or growth prolongation may lead to such catch-up, involving different life-history trade-offs under natural conditions. Frequent recaptures and detailed monitoring of animals surviving to asymptotic size are required to compare growth tactics and their fitness consequences. No study to date has obtained such detailed information for wild animals. We used repeated mass measurements (mean 11.6/animal) spanning the lifetime of 104 bighorn ewes (Ovis canadensis) to quantify growth tactics and identify the determinants and life-history costs of these tactics. Growth prolongation, not compensatory growth, led to partial catch-up: mass difference at age 7 was reduced to 4%, for two groups that differed by nearly 20% as yearlings. Ewes that had been light as yearlings prolonged their growth regardless of density or age of primiparity. Growth prolongation did not affect fecundity or longevity. Ewes that experienced poor early growth prolonged growth at the expense of reproductive fitness, weaning a smaller proportion of their lambs. By tracking multiyear growth patterns and comparing events at different life-history stages, we quantified a trade-off between growth and reproduction that would be overlooked if only the adult phenotype was considered. Compensatory growth in long-lived animals appears unlikely when early growth restrictions are mostly density dependent.
N-acetyltransferase 2 slow acetylator genotype associated with adverse effects of sulphasalazine in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

AIM N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is an important enzyme catalyzing N-acetylation of sulfasalazine (SASP). The aim of the present study was to investigate associations of the genotypes of NAT2 with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and with adverse effects of SASP, which is used as the first-line treatment of IBD. PATIENTS AND METHODS The wildtype allele (NAT2*4) and three variant alleles (NAT2*5B, NAT2*6A and NAT*7B) of the NAT2 gene were determined in 101 patients with IBD (84 patients with ulcerative colitis and 17 patients with Crohn's disease) and 109 healthy controls by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Sixty-eight patients with IBD treated with SASP were followed, and their adverse reactions were recorded. RESULTS Eleven patients (16%) experienced adverse effects from SASP, including nine cases of sulfapyridine (SP) dose-related adverse effects and two cases of hypersensitivity (skin rash). Patients with the slow acetylator genotypes without the NAT2*4 allele experienced adverse effects more frequently (36%) than those with the fast acetylator genotypes with at least one NAT2*4 allele (11%), but the results were not significantly different (OR of 0.26, 95% CI 0.065 to 1.004; P=0.051). However, those with the slow acetylator genotypes experienced more SP dose-related adverse effects than those with the fast acetylator genotypes (36% versus 8%, OR of 0.17, 95% CI 0.039 to 0.749; P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS The NAT2 gene polymorphism was not associated with susceptibility to IBD in Chinese populations, but the NAT2 slow acetylator genotypes were significantly associated with SP dose-related adverse effects of SASP in the treatment of IBD.
An attempt to classify the types of clouds by a dual frequency microwave radiometer

This work presents a new approach for the classification of cloud types (CT) from a dual frequency microwave radiometer time series. The algorithm is based on the identification of fixed relationships relating the Integrated Liquid Water Content (ILWC) and the Integrated Water Vapor Content (IWVC) retrieved from brightness temperatures measured at two frequencies. Results indicate that the cloud classification thresholds, identified from long-term radiosonde observations (RAOBS), apply to the radiometric measurements as well. The probability of occurrences of each CT, as calculated from RAOBS and MWR data, is found to be in good agreement. Results also show that rain events occur only in presence of two out of the four cloud types considered (Cloud Type CT3 and CT4).
Supply voltage analysis for MRF circuits design based on information theory

: Reliability is an essential issue in circuits design. The methodology of Markova random ﬁ eld (MRF) provides a new way for ultra-low supply voltage design to obtain high noise-immune performance. However, MRF circuits have a lack of the analysis for the supply voltage. In this paper, we use information theory to analyze the low bound of the supply voltage. Then, we prove the MRF circuit has lower supply voltage compared to the traditional circuit under the same output correct probability. The contribution of this paper is providing a mathematical proof for MRF circuit from the information theory viewpoint in low supply voltage design.
Effect of ganciclovir [9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine] on viral DNA and protein synthesis in cells infected with herpes simplex virus

The effect of ganciclovir [9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine] on herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA and protein synthesis was studied. Ganciclovir markedly inhibited the synthesis of viral DNA and gamma proteins in a dose-dependent manner. However, the synthesis of viral beta proteins was significantly increased by ganciclovir in the later stage of infection.
Primary prevention of ischemic stroke: A statement for healthcare professionals from the Stroke Council of the American Heart Association.

Background and Purpose— This guideline provides an overview of the evidence on various established and potential stroke risk factors and provides recommendations for the reduction of stroke risk. Methods— Writing group members were nominated by the committee chair on the basis of each writer’s previous work in relevant topic areas and were approved by the American Heart Association Stroke Council’s Scientific Statement Oversight Committee. The writers used systematic literature reviews (covering the time period since the last review published in 2001 up to January 2005), reference to previously published guidelines, personal files, and expert opinion to summarize existing evidence, indicate gaps in current knowledge, and when appropriate, formulate recommendations based on standard American Heart Association criteria. All members of the writing group had numerous opportunities to comment in writing on the recommendations and approved the final version of this document. The guideline underwent extensive pe.
An Empirical Study on Predicting User Acceptance of Online Apparel Shopping in Iran

E-commerce is an emerging market and a developing research field in Iran. The main factors influencing the Iranian consumer's intention towards shopping apparels online are of utmost importance, which the authors are aimed to study. The framework developed for accomplishing this task is created combining constructs of Trust and Perceived Risk with the Technology Acceptance Model which tries to demonstrate the relationship between those two constructs and the subcomponents of TAM including Attitude, Perceived Usefulness, and Perceived Ease of Use and the strengths of these relationships. The findings of this study illustrate the importance of Trust which is proved to have significant direct relationship with Intention and Perceived Risk which has both direct and indirect relationships with Intention. The impact of Perceived Risk is even more critical once the cultural dimension of the country put into account. It is concluded that minimizing the risk of online shopping along with maximizing the trust in this purchasing method plays a main role in adoption of online shopping.
Rapid A1c availability improves clinical decision-making in an urban primary care clinic.

OBJECTIVE Failure to meet goals for glycemic control in primary care settings may be due in part to lack of information critical to guide intensification of therapy. Our objective is to determine whether rapid-turnaround A1c availability would improve intensification of diabetes therapy and reduce A1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this prospective controlled trial, A1c was determined on capillary glucose samples and made available to providers, either during ("rapid") or after ("routine") the patient visit. Frequency of intensification of pharmacological diabetes therapy in inadequately controlled patients and A1c levels were assessed at baseline and after follow-up. RESULTS We recruited 597 subjects. Patients were 79% female and 96% African American, with average age of 61 years, duration of diabetes 10 years, BMI 33 kg/m(2), and A1c 8.5%. The rapid and routine groups had similar clinical demographics. Rapid A1c availability resulted in more frequent intensification of therapy when A1c was >/=7.0% at the baseline visit (51 vs. 32% of patients, P = 0.01), particularly when A1c was >8.0% and/or random glucose was in the 8.4-14.4 mmol/l range (151-250 mg/dl). In 275 patients with two follow-up visits, A1c fell significantly in the rapid group (from 8.4 to 8.1%, P = 0.04) but not in the routine group (from 8.1 to 8.0%, P = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS Availability of rapid A1c measurements increased the frequency of intensification of therapy and lowered A1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes in an urban neighborhood health center.
Outcomes of a quality improvement project for educating nurses on medication administration and errors in nursing homes.

BACKGROUND The Institute of Medicine has provided recommendations for preventing medication errors in nursing homes that include nursing education. Support for education on medication administration is derived from evidence, primarily in settings other than nursing homes. This quality improvement project implemented an educational program for licensed nurses to increase knowledge of medication administration and to decrease medication-related errors. METHOD A descriptive study of 72 licensed nurses in two nursing homes was used for this project. Medication resources were provided at nursing stations in both facilities. Licensed nurses took a pretest and then watched a 35-minute education presentation. One month later, they took a posttest. RESULTS Percentage scores on the tests were calculated. Paired t tests demonstrated an increase in nursing knowledge in one facility (p = 0.04) and no significant increase in nursing knowledge in the second. CONCLUSION Mandatory participation by all staff members who administer medications would increase participation in the project. Multiple factors influence knowledge and medication administration in nursing homes and need further study.
Cameras tracking shoppers: the economics of retail video surveillance

We examine whether video surveillance data enables improved retail performance. We analyze sales data collected from six sporting goods stores. We relate the sales data to an experiment where three stores had placebo video surveillance, and the other three stores made use of information learned in the video surveillance starting half-way through the sample period. A difference-in-differences analysis of the data indicates the use of video surveillance enables a substantial increase in total sales per hour, the number of transactions per hour, and the average size of each transaction.
Brain Genomic Response following Hypoxia and Re-oxygenation in the Neonatal Rat

Hypoxic preconditioning (8% O2, 3 h) produces tolerance 24 h after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats. To better understand the ischemic tolerance mechanisms induced by hypoxia, we used oligonucleotide microarrays to examine genomic responses in neonatal rat brain following 3 h of hypoxia (8% O2) and either 0, 6, 18, or 24 h of re-oxygenation. The results showed that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1- but not HIF-2-mediated gene expression may be involved in brain hypoxia-induced tolerance. Among the genes regulated by hypoxia, 12 genes were confirmed by real time reverse transcriptase-PCR as follows: VEGF,EPO, GLUT-1, adrenomedullin,propyl 4-hydroxylase α, MT-1,MKP-1, CELF, 12-lipoxygenase,t-PA, CAR-1, and an expressed sequence tag. Some genes, for example GLUT-1, MT-1,CELF, MKP-1, and t-PA did not show any hypoxic regulation in either astrocytes or neurons, suggesting that other cells are responsible for the up-regulation of these genes in the hypoxic brain. These genes were expressed in normal and hypoxic brain, heart, kidney, liver, and lung, with adrenomedullin,MT-1, and VEGF being prominently induced in brain by hypoxia. These results suggest that a number of endogenous molecular mechanisms may explain how hypoxic preconditioning protects against subsequent ischemia, and may provide novel therapeutic targets for treatment of cerebral ischemia.
Sustainability of a Firm's Reputation for IT Capability: The Role of Senior IT Executives

This study investigates the development and sustainability of a firm’s IT capability reputation from an IT executive’s standpoint. Building on institutional theory, we argue that IT executives will try to achieve external legitimacy - i.e., project an image of superior IT capability to external stakeholders - in the hope that top management team and board members will reciprocate by elevating the internal legitimacy of IT executives. Firms that develop such a culture of reciprocity with their IT executives are more likely to sustain their IT capability reputation. Econometric results based on panel data for 1,326 large US firms from a wide spectrum of industries over a 13-year period (1997-2009) validate these predictions. More specifically, we find that IT executives with greater structural power (e.g., IT executives with higher job titles) or IT-related expert power (e.g., IT-related education or experience) are more likely to attract public recognition for their firm’s IT capability. Firms that build such an IT capability reputation are more likely to promote their IT executives, and IT executives who are promoted are more likely to stay longer with their firms. This continuity in IT strategic leadership is positively associated with the firm’s ability to sustain its IT capability reputation. Our findings have important practical implications related to a firm’s IT reputation strategy as well as the motivation and career of IT executives. Firms wanting to develop and sustain their IT capability reputation would do well to foster the creation of a cycle of positive reciprocity with their IT executives. IT executives hoping to increase their power within their firm’s top management team and improve the legitimacy of the firm’s IT organization need to project an image of IT superiority to external stakeholders.
Loss of ChlR1 Helicase in Mouse Causes Lethality Due to the Accumulation of Aneuploid Cells Generated by Cohesion Defects and Placental Malformation

Human DDX11 and DDX12 are closely related genes encoding the helicases ChlR1 and ChlR2, which belong to the CHL1 DNA helicase family. Recently, it was shown that human ChlR1 interacts with components of the cohesin complex and is required for proper centromeric cohesion. To establish the function of ChlR1 in development we made a mutant mouse lacking Ddx11, the single mouse ChlR gene. The absence of Ddx11 resulted in embryonic lethality at E10.5. The mutant embryos were smaller in size, malformed and exhibited sparse cellularity in comparison to normal or heterozygous litter mates. Importantly, loss of Ddx11 resulted in the inability to form a proper placenta, indicating that ChlR1 is essential for placental formation. Detailed analysis of cells isolated from Ddx11-/- embryos revealed a G2/M cell cycle delay, an increased frequency of chromosome missegregation, decreased chromosome cohesion, and increased aneuploidy. To examine whether ChlR proteins are required for arm cohesion and for loading of the cohesin complex, further studies were preformed in ChlR1 siRNA treated cells. These studies revealed that ChlR1 is required for proper sister chromatid arm cohesion and that cohesin complexes bind more loosely to chromatin in the absence of ChlR1. Taken together, these studies provide the first data indicating that the ChlR1 helicase is essential for proper binding of the cohesin complex to both the centromere and the chromosome arms, and indicate that ChlR1 is essential for embryonic development and the prevention of aneuploidy in mammals.
A new model for e-business deployment in Libyan public universities

Electronic Business (e-Business) is recognised as being able to help organisations to achieve competitiveness benefits. In Libya, the uptake of e-business in the higher education sector has been relatively limited and ineffective. There is no guidance available to help Libyan universities to maximise their leverage by participating intelligently in e-business deployment. This research examines e-business deployment initiatives and provides insights and learning into how to successfully develop and implement these initiatives within universities in a developing country, specifically Libya. The aim of this research is to develop a robust framework to support an efficient e-business deployment focusing on the case of Libya. This is achieved by exploring selected completed and on-going successful initiatives and focusing on the barriers to, and the enablers of, these initiatives. As a result, the nature of successful e-business deployment is determined, and the e-business deployment requirements for universities in Libya are identified. A combination of research methodology approaches has been engaged in this research. Firstly, an extensive review of literature took place to summarise and create the arguments around the main e-business models and their related dimensions, contributing to the development of e-business deployment research. Secondly, a qualitative approach based on case studies, include an explanatory investigation in three cases, is selected as an appropriate methodology for this research. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews are conducted to gather data from selected universities. The results show that Process, People and Technology barriers are the main barriers facing e-business deployment in Libyan universities. The collected data was analysed and problems were identified; as a result, the elements for a holistic approach to manage e-business deployment emerged. Based on the findings, an e-business deployment model is developed to provide a holistic approach for universities to plan, perform and review their e-business levels, as well as uncovering the main barriers preventing these universities from expanding e-business development. Also, a model of the implementation process of e-business deployment is proposed. From a practical point of view, this research provides realistic implications for decision makers and officials within Libyan universities involved in the process of planning, developing and implementing e-business initiatives.
The role and effectiveness of safety representatives in influencing workplace health and safety

This study presents a review of the quantitative and qualitative evidence for the link between worker representation and consultation and effective health and safety management. Through a series of detailed case studies in two sectors of the economy, it examines the dynamics of representation and consultation in improving health and safety performance. Its review of previous studies and the evidence of the case studies detailed in the report support a conclusion that joint arrangements, through which workers are represented and consulted on their health and safety, are likely to have better outcomes than arrangements in which management acts without consultation. However, it suggests that arrangements for worker representation and consultation are dependent upon a number of preconditions for their effectiveness. These include a strong legislative steer, effective external inspection and control, demonstrable senior management commitment and capacity towards both health and safety and a participative approach, competent hazard/risk evaluation and control, effective autonomous worker representation at the workplace and external trade union support. Such preconditions were not present in the majority of the case studies and both they and the review of the wider literature suggest that changes in the structure and organisation of work mean that achieving them present considerable challenges. Nevertheless, the study found a number of examples of ways in which these challenges had been successfully addressed. It suggests therefore that there are important messages presented by these examples for regulators, trade unions and employers alike if worker representation and consultation is to be supported in realising its potential to contribute to improved health and safety outcomes.
Identification of Genes Encoding Atypical Odorant-Binding Proteins in Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT Insect odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are a diverse gene family that encode proteins thought to function as molecular chaperones by binding semiochemicals and transporting them through the aqueous lymph of insect sensilla. Between 66 and 68 genes have been classified as OBPs in both Anopheles gambiae (Giles) and Aedes aegypti L. based on bioninformatics criteria. We have cloned and sequenced from a subtracted cDNA library three OBPs in Aedes albopcitus (Skuse). BLASTP and phylogenetic analysis of deduced amino acid sequences identified a unique putative ortholog in Ae. aegypti for each Ae. albopictus OBP. Comparison of these putative Ae. aegypti orthologs with the results of previous bioinformatics analyses of OBP genes in Ae. aegypti highlight the potential variability of bioinformatics analyses and suggest that the OBP gene family of Culicids is even more diverse than previously described. Alignment of deduced amino acid sequences and phylogenetic analysis identified the N-terminal region of Culicid OBPs that is associated with aedine-specific diversification. Analysis of tissue-specific expression indicates that two of the Ae. albopictus OBPs are expressed both in preadult stages and in the hemolymph of adults, suggesting that the proteins encoded by these genes may be involved in the transport of hydrophobic ligands in the hemolymph. The other Ae. albopictus OBP is expressed exclusively in antennae and leg, suggesting a chemosensory function. These results are discussed within the context of the evolution and functional diversification of OBPs in mosquitoes.