Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Marketing planning: A key to successful business performance in the hospitality industry

In contemporary business conditions marketing planning should be the basis of marketing management process in the hospitality industry. Nowadays, all hotel companies, regardless of their size should be marketing-oriented and apply the principles of marketing planning. The aim of this paper is to investigate the level of adoption of marketing planning of hotel companies in two developed Croatian counties. The purpose of this paper is to confirm that marketing planning determines business performance of hotel companies. Empirical research proved that there is a statistically significant relationship between marketing planning and business performance of hotel companies. The obtained results are indicative for marketing managers of hotel companies who strive to improve their own operation in order to contribute to the quality of the hotel product and thus to respond to the contemporary market demands.
Förster resonance energy transfer between individual semiconductor nanocrystals and an InP film

Abstract. The modification of the radiative decay of a single emitter in close vicinity to a dielectric interface is investigated by studying the photoluminescence (PL) decay dynamics of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) deposited on semiconductor surfaces. The PL decay lifetimes of single CdSe/CdS NCs spin-coated on InP surfaces passivated with thin oxide layers are measured. Electrochemical passivation of the InP surfaces with oxide layers of different thicknesses enables to study the influence of the distance between the semiconductor surface and the NC on the lifetime. A shortening of the PL decay lifetimes of the NCs with respect to their lifetimes on glass strongly suggests the opening of recombination channels for the photogenerated exciton, which we attribute to energy transfer between the NC and the semiconductor. We also experimentally show the influence of the orientation of the NC with respect to the semiconductor surface on the coupling.
[Nphe1]nociceptin(1-13)-NH2 antagonizes nociceptin-induced hypotension, bradycardia, and hindquarters vasodilation in the anesthetized rat.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of [Nphe1]nociceptin(1-13)-NH2 on nociceptin-induced decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and hindquarters vascular bed resistance (HVBR) of the anesthetized rat. The results showed that i.c. v. or i.v. [Nphe1]nociceptin(1-13)-NH2 (1.5-12 nmol/kg and 5-120 nmol/kg, respectively) could antagonize the depressor effects of i.c. v. or i.v. nociceptin (3 and 30 nmol/kg, respectively) on MAP and HR. Furthermore, [Nphe1]nociceptin(1-13)-NH2 (5-120 nmol/kg) could reverse nociceptin (30 nmol/kg)-induced decrease of HVBR. However, [Nphe1]nociceptin(1-13)-NH2 had no significant effects on similar effects induced by morphine. Our results suggest that [Nphe1]nociceptin(1-13)-NH2 acts as a selective antagonist of the nociceptin receptor in the cardiovascular system of the rat.
Challenges on the domestication of oil and gas insurance in Nigeria

This dissertation examines the challenges of domesticating oil and gas insurance in Nigeria. The methodology adopted is both quantitative and qualitative, using questionnaire and interview to generate required data for the research. The research identified some challenges preventing domestic insurers from insuring oil and gas risks to include inadequate capital, lack of expertise and technology, inconsistencies in government policies, poor regulation and lack of innovation. Other findings revealed that the industry is male-dominated, ages of the experienced personnel in oil and gas departments are between 40 and50 and all are well educated and also with knowledge in Local Content Act. The research contributes to knowledge by using primary data from practitioners in oil and gas, which is a departure from earlier studies. It also seeks the review of the Act to make it insurance-friendly, provides new methods of practice, and brings to the attention of the umbrella association, Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), the need to foster cooperation among practitioners to merge or form pools to reduce capital challenges and avoid leakages in premium through connivance of practitioners with foreign firms. With this, more premiums will be retained to increase the needed capacity to domesticate more oil and gas insurance in Nigeria.
Endommagement en fatigue des élastomères

Peu etudiee, la fatigue des elastomeres reste un domaine ouvert : les mecanismes physiques de l'endommagement n’etant pas clairement etablis, les grandeurs utilisees pour traduire l'endommagement n'en sont que plus nombreuses. Afin de predire la duree de vie, ces grandeurs sont definies par des approches phenomenologiques. Meme si les resultats obtenus sont satisfaisants en chargement uniaxial, ces approches perdent toute efficacite en chargement multiaxial. L’enjeu de cette these est donc de proposer une mesure de l’endommagement qui soit physiquement motivee. Tout d’abord, les eprouvettes issues d’une campagne d’essais de fatigue sont examinees par divers moyens d’analyses tels que la microscopie electronique a balayage, la micro-tomographie par rayons X et la microscopie a force atomique. Les resultats montrent que des les premiers cycles de fatigue, des fissures microscopiques apparaissent uniformement dans le volume du materiau, puis se propagent en fonction de la geometrie et du chargement de la structure jusqu’a la perte de fonctionnalite de la piece. Les mecanismes de propagation de fissures dans les elastomeres sont ensuite proposes. Enfin, il apparait clairement que la mesure de l’endommagement a l’echelle macroscopique, par une grandeur continue de la mecanique, doit prendre en compte la croissance de fissures microscopiques au sein du materiau. La grandeur que nous proposons dans cette etude est issue de la mecanique configurationnelle et plus particulierement du tenseur moment d’energie ou tenseur d’Eshelby. Comparee aux grandeurs classiques, elle s’avere particulierement efficace pour predire les zones endommagees en fatigue.
Carrier-Based Linear Decoupling Control of a Three-Phase Four-Leg Shunt Active Power Filter

Current harmonics caused by nonlinear loads yield major power quality related problems in the utility. Such harmonics are commonly reduced by employing static compensators known as active power filters (APF). APF topologies are of various types, depending on technical and economical requirements; and their performance is intimately related to the applied control algorithm. In this paper, a new constant-frequency linear decoupling control scheme is proposed for a shunt three-phase four-leg APF. The APF is used to compensate the current distortion and the reactive power created by a typical industrial load. The elaboration of the control law is based on a small-signal averaged model of the converter, computed in the (d,q,0) synchronous frame. The control scheme consists of embedded current and voltage loops that ensure respectively current wave shaping at the AC side of the filter, and voltage regulation at the DC side. The control system is implemented numerically using the Matlab/Simulink tool. The performance of the proposed control approach is finally discussed through the obtained simulation results.
IL‐5 expression and release from human CD34 cells in vitro; ex vivo evidence from cases of asthma and Churg–Strauss syndrome

To cite this article: Bossios A, Sjöstrand M, Dahlborn A‐K, Samitas K, Malmhäll C, Gaga M, Lötvall J. IL‐5 expression and release from human CD34 cells in vitro; ex vivo evidence from cases of asthma and Churg–Strauss syndrome. Allergy 2010; 65: 831–839.
Microbiological evaluation of glycerolized cadaveric donor skin.

BACKGROUND Human cadaveric donor skin is commonly used for the treatment of extensive burns. To minimize the risk of transfer of bacteria, viruses, and prions to the recipient, the donor and cadaver skin are screened according to standard transplantation protocols. METHODS Since 1984, glycerol in a concentration of 85% has been used as a preservative of cadaver skin; here, data on bacteriological contamination of cadaver skin of 1929 skin donors are reviewed. RESULTS Results show a reduction of contamination with 70% when antibiotics were used during the processing procedure. Overall, 10.1+/-4.1% of the cadaver skin showed initial bacterial contamination, but after prolonged storage all skin eventually showed no bacterial growth. The most commonly detected bacteria species was Staphylococcus epidermidis (76.7+/-7.0%). The spore-forming Bacillus species was most resistant to inactivation by glycerol, but eventually also this species was no longer detected. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, preservation of skin in 85% glycerol reduces the risk of bacterial transfer to the recipient and allows an increase in yield of cadaver skin of approximately 10%.
Investigating Environmental Responsibilities Involved in Sport Organizations

The purpose of this study is to investigate the environmental responsibilities involved in sports organizations. For this purpose, all employees of Sport Development and Maintenance Company were considered as a statistical society. Since the organization's total number of employees was 150, according to the small number of communities, the number of samples was considered equal to the community. The target sample was taken through non-random sampling. Based on theoretical foundations, a researcher-made questionnaire was developed in the form of three environmental factors, environmental expectations and environmental requirements. After verifying the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, it was reported. Data analysis was performed using Amos and Spss 25 software. After the factor analysis, 8 questions were removed due to a factor of less than 0.4. The measurement model and research model were designed based on 18 standard questions. In the tests, the level of P <0.05 was considered significant. The results show that environmental responsibility has a significant effect on both environmental expectations and environmental variables, but does not have a significant effect on environmental requirements.
Reading sustainability post annexations of Rumah Gadang architecture

Many of Rumah Gadang of Minangkabau in West Sumatra has strived through many years of extreme tropical climate. Through times this type of vernacular house has remarkably endure and stay, hence the increasing numbers of maintenance cost. One family generation to its next, as many other normal family houses may have experienced, the annexation phase (adding spaces) of living is inevitable. As Rumah Gadang design has been considered as one model of eco-tropical architecture fine example, its annexation could make the green compactness of its majectic design changed. This research analyzes major typical modifications and changes that could happen to Rumah Gadang’s original design. Field research was conducted direct to its site’s origin in West Sumatra. Its actual and recent plans (after annex) are documented to study the basics and its upgrading modification tendencies. This information then could become the base for further research on exploring the local wisdom, its traditional building values, material development and changes, and also its future endurance.
Infant color preference for red is not selectively context specific.

It has been proposed that human infants, like nonhuman primates, respond favorably to red in hospitable contexts, yet unfavorably in hostile contexts (Maier, Barchfeld, Elliot, & Pekrun, 2009). Here, we replicate and extend the study (Maier et al., 2009) whose findings have been used to support this hypothesis. As in Maier et al., 1-year-old infants were shown a photograph of a happy or angry face before pairs of colors were presented, yet in the current study, the set of stimuli crucially included two colors that are typically preferred by infants (red and blue). The percentage of times that infants looked first at the colors was analyzed for the two emotional "contexts. " Following the happy face, infants looked first at red and blue equally, but significantly more than green. Following the angry face, the pattern of looking preference was the same as following the happy face, but the variation across the three colors was reduced. Contrary to Maier et al.'s hypothesis, there was no evidence that infants are selectively averse to red in angry contexts: following the angry face, "preference" for both red and blue was reduced, but was not significantly below chance. We therefore suggest an alternative account to Maier et al.'s evolutionary hypothesis, which argues that an angry face merely removes infant color preference, potentially due to the perceptual characteristics of the angry face disrupting infants' encoding of color.
Handheld instrument to detect defects in conductive plates with a planar probe

This paper presents a novel low-cost handheld instrument to detect cracks and other defects in a plate of conductive material. The instrument includes a planar eddy-current probe having a giant magnetoresistor (GMR) based sensor, a mouse pointing device that acts as the positioner, a dsPIC that controls the measurement process and that possesses also signal processing capabilities to enhance the accuracy of the system and all the electronic circuitry (power supplies, signal amplification, current generation, analog to signal conversion) necessary to carry out the defect detection. The visualization of the defect can be depicted in real-time on a LCD display or transmitted to a PC. The metrological performance and the effective cost make this handheld device well suited for several applications such as cracks detection at subsurface depths.
ER Intrabodies: Potent Molecules for Specific Knockdown of Proteins Passingthe ER

A very promising protein knockdown technique is based on recombinant antibody fragments expressed inside the ER (ER intrabodies). ER intrabodies mediate inhibition of the function of proteins passing the ER very efficiently and specifically. Many ER intrabodies against a large range of attractive targets have been described [2,3]. Targets include oncogenic receptors, virus proteins (to prevent virus assembly), cellular virus receptors (to block virus entry), proteins of the immune system and the nervous system [4-8]. Even ER intrabodies with therapeutic potential have been generated [9-15].
ICT and Two Categories of R&D in the Innovation Process among Firms in ASEAN Countries Based on Firm-level Survey Data

This paper attempts to analyze the relationship between ICT and RD and (ii) External use of ICT which consists of B2B e-commerce, B2C e-commerce, EDI, SCM, and Public-SNS. ICT total contains all of these. Research questions are as follows: (i) whether RD (ii) what are the factors of production innovation in RD and (iii) how ICT use affects (i) and (ii). This study is based on mail surveys in five ASEAN economies, such as Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, and Thailand from 2013 to 2014. The total number of valid responses was 1,061. Ordered probit analysis was employed. The significant variables common to both groups are few. In the R&D group, "ICT total" and "Cross-functional team" was significant variables, whereas in non-R&D group, "ISO9000 series" and "HRD program for workers were significant. From the above estimation results, it is clear that ICT use is positively related to innovation in R&D group, indicating ICT more contributed to their innovation.
Robust Real-Time Applications in Timber

Embedded systems are often operating under hard real-time constraints, for example in automotive applications. For such systems, robustness and reliability are crucial, which calls for rigorous system design and methodologies for validation. In this paper we advocate a design methodology for robust, real-time systems, based on Timber; a pure reactive system model that allows for formal reasoning about various system properties. We outline how system specifications in Timber can be "compiled" into efficient standalone executables for general light-weight microcontroller platforms. Methods for resource analysis and implications to system dimensioning and validation are further discussed
Uma Estratégia não Supervisionada para Previsão de Eventos usando Redes Sociais

Since the popularization of text-based social media, many studies have been conducted using data from these platforms to predict real-world events. The common approach is to consider people posting to a social media as sensors and their respective messages about an event as an indicator of its occurrence or intensity. In general, a sentiment analysis step is performed in order to assign messages to a set of predefined categories. In this case, manually labeled data is required to train a classifier. However, manually labeling messages can be costly, time consuming and is subject to human error. In addition, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish which predefined category is the most appropriate for an specific message. In this sense, we propose an unsupervised methodology to handle social media data for event prediction. We apply our methodology to dengue-related data from Brazil and show how an unsupervised approach can significantly improve the event prediction performance in the majority of the cases.
A Qualitative Investigation of Perceptions of Violence Risk Factors in Low-Income African American Children

Conducted a qualitative investigation to identify the perceptions of risk factors for violence in a sample of inner-city African American youth. Using ethnographic analyses, themes emerging from these data included concerns about the reciprocity between drugs and violence, familial quality of life issues, gender differences in the experience of violence and risk for violence, community safety concerns, and fears about managing peer relationships specific to violence. These data are interpreted relative to the risk factors the violence prevention literature has identified among youth residing in urban environments. Findings are discussed in terms of their potential contribution to generating hypotheses for the development of theory and effective violence prevention practice.
The impact of culture on AIDS nurses in Iran

AIDS is one of the medical professional’s or young person ventures in third world countries like Iran. The growth of AIDS victims in the recent years has made a lot of global worries about cure process and other related issues to HIV problems in these countries. One of the effective groups in the study of AIDS patients is nurses who are in direct contact with patients. Our investigation led to study two variables “consciousness” and “vision” of nurses working in Imam Khomeini hospital of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Based on the results we achieved that nurses have a low medium degree in the variables studied which is as a result of poor and low effective trainings. In addition to this as a consequence of wrong culture in Iran about AIDS patients or even people in contact with them, nurses have been in a great pressure as they might be in danger of disease transmission. This negative trend has caused a great anxiety about the real condition of AID patients in Iran and their cure process.
A rat model of aortic arch aneurysm with excellent survival

BackgroundThe complex mechanisms of aortic arch aneurysm have not been well studied. An animal model of aortic arch aneurysm would be beneficial to study this fatal disease. In this study, we tried to establish a rat model of aortic arch aneurysm by constricting the aortic isthmus.MethodsForty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Rats with no aortic isthmus constriction were assigned to group A (control group). The aortic isthmus was constricted to 1.5 mm in group B and to 0.8 mm in group C. The blood pressure of the rats was measured at 0, 1, 3 and 6 months after the operation. The diameter and wall thickness of aortic arch were measured at 3 and 6 months after surgery.ResultsCompared to group A, group B showed no significant increase in blood pressure or aortic diameter after the operation. Compared to the control group, group B showed a marked increase in wall thickness at 3 and 6 months after surgery (p < 0.05). Compared to group A, group C showed significant increas.
Broadband 3 dB microstip hybrid coupler with low dielectric substrate for X-Band applications

In this work a broadband microstrip hybrid coupler is designed and rf tested for X-Band applications. Simulation and rf tests of a two-section X-Band hybrid coupler using microstrip lines are conducted. By unequally reducing the wave impedances of longitudinal and transverse branches of hybrid splitter, good amplitude and phase imbalance between two output ports are obtained. X-band microstrip line coupler using Taconic TLY-5 as substrate material with low dielectric constant of 2.2 has wide bandwidth of 44%, amplitude imbalance of ± 0.7 dB, and isolation of 15 dB in the frequency range of 7.8 GHz ~ 12.2 GHz. The proposed 3 dB hybrid splitter will provide not only ease in the process the fabricating broadband hybrid coupler, but also allow low cost production avoiding miniaturization difficulties for high frequencies application such as Ku- and Ka-band.
Truncated protein phosphatase GLC7 restores translational activation of GCN4 expression in yeast mutants defective for the eIF-2 alpha kinase GCN2

GCN2 is a protein kinase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is required for increased expression of the transcriptional activator GCN4 in amino acid-starved cells. GCN2 stimulates GCN4 synthesis at the translational level by phosphorylating the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF-2). We identified a truncated form of the GLC7 gene, encoding the catalytic subunit of a type 1 protein phosphatase, by its ability to restore derepression of GCN4 expression in a strain containing the partially defective gcn2-507 allele. Genetic analysis suggests that the truncated GLC7 allele has a dominant negative phenotype, reducing the level of native type 1 protein phosphatase activity in the cell. The truncated form of GLC7 does not suppress the regulatory defect associated with a gcn2 deletion or a mutation in the phosphorylation site of eIF-2 alpha (Ser-51). In addition, the presence of multiple copies of wild-type GLC7 impairs the derepression of GCN4 that occurs in response to amino acid starvation or dominant-activating mutations in GCN2. These findings suggest that the phosphatase activity of GLC7 acts in opposition to the kinase activity of GCN2 in modulating the level of eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation and the translational efficiency of GCN4 mRNA. This conclusion is supported by biochemical studies showing that the truncated GLC7 allele increases the level of eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation in the gcn2-507 mutant to a level approaching that seen in wild-type cells under starvation conditions. The truncated GLC7 allele also leads to reduced glycogen accumulation, indicating that this protein phosphatase is involved in regulating diverse metabolic pathways in yeast cells.
Terahertz and infrared spectra of plumbagin, juglone, and menadione

Three naphthoquinone derivatives (plumbagin, juglone, and menadione) have been reported with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties and could potentially be used as anticancer agents because they can provoke apoptosis. However, they are also strong oxidants and cause cytotoxicity and even necrosis, so they are only limited to experimental chemotherapeutic use. In order to understand their physical chemical properties, we used both Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS) to study their absorption spectra in wave number ranges of 400~4000 cm-1 and 6.6 ~ 92.4 cm-1. We also analyzed their characteristic absorption peaks, and assigned spectra peaks in IR range to their molecular structures. These data will be very useful in future studies of their pharmaceutical mechanisms.