Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differentiating weak ties and strong ties among external sources of influences for enterprise resource planning (ERP) adoption

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems represent a major IT adoption decision. ERP adoption decisions, in the chemicals and allied products sectors, were examined between 1994 and 2005. Networks of strong ties and weak ties partners are investigated. Results show that neighbouring companies linked with strong ties can have an influence on organisations making such adoption decision. Past decisions made by major trading partners have a significant influence on the decision to adopt an ERP system for a given organisation. This reflects the complex nature of the knowledge required for such adoption.
Reirradiation for Locoregionally Recurrent Lung Cancer: Outcomes in Small Cell and Non–Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Objectives:To our knowledge this is the largest report analyzing outcomes for reirradiation (reRT) for locoregionally recurrent lung cancer, and the first to assess thoracic reRT outcomes in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Methods:Forty-eight patients (11 SCLC, 37 non–small cell lung cancer [NSCLC]) receiving reRT to the thorax were identified; 44 (92%) received reRT by intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Palliative responses, survival outcomes, and prognostic factors were analyzed. Results:NSCLC patients received a median of 30 Gy in a median of 10 fractions, whereas SCLC patients received a median of 37.5 Gy in a median of 15 fractions. Median survival for the entire cohort from reRT was 4.2 months. Median survival for NSCLC patients was 5.1 months, versus 3.1 months for the SCLC patients (P=0.15). In NSCLC patients, multivariate analysis demonstrated that Karnofsky performance status≥80 and higher radiation dose were associated with improved survival following reRT, and 75% of patients with symptoms experienced palliative benefit. In SCLC, 4 patients treated with the intent of life prolongation for radiographic recurrence had a median survival of 11.7 months. However, acute toxicities and new disease symptoms limited the duration of palliative benefit in the 7 symptomatic SCLC patients to 0.5 months. Conclusions:ReRT to the thorax for locoregionally recurrent NSCLC can provide palliative benefit, and a small subset of patients may experience long-term survival. Select SCLC patients may experience meaningful survival prolongation after reRT, but reRT for patients with symptomatic recurrence and/or extrathoracic disease did not offer meaningful survival or durable symptom benefit.
In-Depth Analysis of Malaysia International Trade Pattern

2015 wave a challenging year for Malaysia in terms of economic as well as international trade due to several factors inter alia plummeting of global crude oil prices, Ringgit depreciation and sluggish of Asian giant’s trading momentum suchlike People’s Republic of China (MITI Annual Report, 2015). Nevertheless, Malaysia trade still managed to push beyond the gauge projected by World Bank and International Monetary Funds (IMF) which recorded 5% growth than expected 4.7%. Despite exceeding the projection by 0.3%, the actual trade level recorded slightly dropped compared to 2014, therefore it is a vital need for Malaysia to restructure the movement of export and import to ensure consistent performance in the future. This study analyses top 60 Malaysia trading partners worldwide by taking into consideration the economic as well as financial determinants of trade. Rather than just a cliche linear regression, this study differs from others by segregating the top 60 partners into three level of segregation together with the prominent gravity model of trade to identify the superior and profitable trading partners’ categories Malaysia should focus with. Lastly, the augmented gravity model of static panel analysis results shows mixed findings in which Malaysia trade with different segregation level provides different patterns and determinants of trade.
A Protocol to Achieve Independence in Constant Rounds

Independence is a fundamental property needed to achieve security in fault-tolerant distributed computing. In practice, distributed communication networks are neither fully synchronous or fully asynchronous, but rather loosely synchronized. By this, we mean that in a communication protocol, messages at a given round may depend on messages from other players at the same round. These possible dependencies among messages create problems if we need n players to announce independently chosen values. This task is called simultaneous broadcast. In this paper, we present the first constant round protocol for simultaneous broadcast in a reasonable computation model (which includes a common shared random string among the players). The protocol is provably secure under general cryptographic assumptions. In the process, we develop a new and stronger formal definition for this problem. Previously known protocols for this task required either O(log n) or expected constant rounds to complete (depending on the computation model considered).
The Coachella valley fringe-toed lizard (Uma inornata): genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of an endangered species.

A phylogeny was reconstructed for 23 populations of fringe-toed lizards (genus Uma) from the three most northern species of the genus, including the Mojave fringe-toed lizard U. scoparia, the Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard U. notata, and the endangered Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard U. inornata. The outgroup taxa were the zebra-tailed lizard, Callisaurus draconoides; the lesser earless lizard, Holbrookia maculata; and the greater earless lizard, Cophosaurus texanus. Evaluation of 1630 combined nucleotide sequence from the mitochondrial genes ATPase 6 and cytochrome b yielded 10 most parsimonious trees. Reweighting the characters using the rescaled consistency index eliminated eight of these trees. The remaining two trees differ only in the placement of two individuals from the Superstition Mountains which either formed a monophlyetic unit or grouped with one individual from the Anza-Borrego population. The preferred phylogeny, one more consistent with geography, had two primary clades: one consisting of U. scoparia and the other placing U. inornata inside the clade containing U. notata. Uma inornata was most closely related to nearby U. notata notata, as opposed to more distant U. notata rufopunctata.
Insulating DNA directs ubiquitous transcription of the Drosophila melanogaster alpha 1-tubulin gene

We identify DNA regions that are necessary for the ubiquitous expression of the Drosophila melanogaster alpha 1-tubulin (alpha 1t) gene. In vitro transcription showed that two upstream regions, tubulin element 1 (TE1 [29 bp]) and tubulin element 2 (TE2 [68 bp]), and a downstream region activate transcription. Germ line transformation demonstrated that these three regions are sufficient to direct the alpha 1t core promoter to begin transcribing at the stage of cellular blastoderm formation and to continue thereafter at high levels in all tissues and developmental stages. Remarkably, mutation of any one of these regions results in high sensitivity to chromosomal position effects, producing different but reproducible tissue-specific patterns of expression in each transformed line. None of these regions behaves as an enhancer in a conventional germ line transformation test. These observations show that these three regions, two of which bind the GAGA transcription factor, act ubiquitously to insulate from position effects and to activate transcription. The results also provide vectors for ubiquitous expression of gene products and for examining silencer activities.
Emerging methodologies for pathogen identification in positive blood culture testing

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) represent a major cause of death in developed countries and are associated with long-term loss of functions. Blood culture remains the gold standard for BSI diagnosis, as it is easy to perform and displays a good analytical sensitivity. However, its major drawback remains the long turnaround time, which can result in inappropriate therapy, fall of survival rate, emergence of antibiotic resistance and increase of medical costs. Over the last 10 years, molecular tools have been the alternative to blood cultures, allowing early identification of pathogens involved in sepsis, as well detection of critical antibiotic resistance genes. Besides, the advent of MALDI-TOF revolutionized practice in routine microbiology significantly reduced the time to result. Reviewed here are recent improvements in early BSI diagnosis and these authors’ view for the future is presented, including innovative high-throughput technologies.
VaccineWatch: a monitoring system of vaccine messages from social media data

To exploit social media data in vaccine-related areas, we proposed VaccineWatch, a monitoring system with visualizations and analytics of significant vaccine information from Twitter and RSS feeds. The system was designed and implemented as a web application with following distinguished features. First, it comes with graphical user interfaces that visualize perspectives of vaccine-related information mined from social media data. Second, it provides a set of filters allowing users to focus on their diseases, vaccines, countries, and/or companies of interest. Third, it includes the helper tools for the management of social media data collection and backend processes such as Twitter and RSS crawlers. The prototype of VaccineWatch is available at www.vacciknowlogy . org/VaccineWatch.
Predicted metabolizable energy density and amino acid profile of the crop contents of free-living scarlet macaw chicks (Ara macao).

Hand rearing of neonates is a common practice for the propagation of psittacines. However, nutritional requirements for their growth and development are not well understood, and malnutrition is common. We analysed the amino acid (AA) profile of the crop contents of 19 free-living scarlet macaw (Ara macao) chicks, 19-59 days old. Predicted metabolizable energy (PME) density was 16.9 MJ/kg DM and true protein (total AA protein) 8.3 g/MJ PME. Crude protein (CP) was 10.0 g/MJ PME, lower than the requirements of 0- to 12-week-old leghorn chicks but not different than the requirements of growing budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and lovebirds (Agapornis spp.). The mean concentrations of leucine, isoleucine, threonine, lysine (Lys) and methionine on a PME basis were below the minimum requirements of 0- to 12-week-old leghorn-type chicks. The calculated PME density of the samples did not vary with age. However, there was a significant negative correlation between the average age of the chicks and the Lys concentration. We conclude that the lower CP and AA densities compared with poultry could result from a combination of (i) differences in the essential AA composition of the body tissues, (ii) adaptations that allow the birds to grow on low-protein food sources and (iii) suboptimal nutrition of these free-ranging chicks.
Manipulating Objects in Virtual Worlds: Categorization and Empirical Evaluation of Interaction Techniques

The acceptance of virtual environment (VE) technology requires scrupulous optimization of the most basic interactions to maximize user performance and provide efficient and enjoyable virtual interfaces. Motivated by insufficient understanding of human factors implications in the design of interaction techniques for object manipulation in virtual worlds, this paper presents results of a formal study that evaluated two basic interaction metaphors for virtual manipulation? virtual pointer and virtual hand? in object selection and positioning tasks. In this work, we survey and categorize current virtual manipulation techniques according to their basic design metaphors, conduct experimental studies of the most basic techniques, and derive guidelines to aid designers in the practical development of VE applications.
Asset Encumbrance and Bank Risk: First Evidence from Public Disclosures in Europe

Asset encumbrance refers to the existence of bank balance sheet assets being subject to arrangements that restrict the bank's ability to freely transfer or realise them. Asset encumbrance has recently become a much discussed subject and policymakers have been actively addressing what some consider to be excessive levels of asset encumbrance. Despite its importance, the phenomenon of asset encumbrance remains poorly understood. We build a novel dataset of asset encumbrance metrics based on information provided in the banks' public disclosures for the very first time throughout 2015. We provide descriptive evidence of asset encumbrance levels by country, credit quality, and business model using different encumbrance metrics. Our empirical results point to the existence of an association between CDS premia and asset encumbrance that is negative, not positive. That is, on average encumbrance is perceived to be beneficial. Still, certain bank-level variables play a mediating role in this relationship. For banks that have high exposures to the central bank, high leverage ratio, and/or are located in southern Europe, asset encumbrance is less beneficial and could even be detrimental in absolute terms.
Induction of protective immunity by using Anaplasma marginale initial body membranes

Anaplasma marginale initial bodies of the Norton Zimbabwe strain were disrupted and separated into two membrane fractions banding at 1.15 and 1.22 g/cm3 by sucrose density centrifugation. The membrane fractions differed in their morphology and polypeptide composition. Membranes banding at 1.22 g/cm3 shared epitopes with surface-exposed polypeptides of the Florida strain of A. marginale, confirming the outer membrane location of these polypeptides. Immunization of cattle with either membrane fraction induced protection against homologous challenge, as demonstrated by significantly less anemia and lower peak rickettsemia values compared with those of adjuvant-immunized and nonimmunized calves. Protection correlated with antibody titer to membrane polypeptides. Although both membrane fractions induced protection, a 31-kDa polypeptide was the only common antigen to both fractions, as shown by reactivity of immune sera. Identification of membrane antigens capable of inducing protective immunity should facilitate development of vaccines against anaplasmosis suitable for use in Zimbabwe.
Chip and spin

The views of the authors regarding the liability issues, technical shortcomings and management failures of 'Chip and PIN' card payments are discussed. The UK banks do have a voluntary code of practice that is supposed to indicate liability during computer crimes but it relies on ill defined notions of 'reasonable care'. The use PINs in shops as well as at ATMs greatly increases the likelihood that PINs can be compromised by shoulder-surfing. This is not just a function of the frequency of PIN entry, but also of the environment and the associated social norms. The system has a glaring weakness, if a card is presented at an ATM or POS terminal whose chip is damaged then the device falls back to the magnetic strip operation. According to the author the technical specification behind Chip and PIN EMV is a public standard and will come under attack. The interaction with the credit card is simply done using electronic signals which can be easily routed from anywhere in the world.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in COPD: a cluster randomised controlled trial

A considerable proportion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) entering pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) report psychological distress, which is often accompanied by poor physical health status. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been shown to improve psychological and physical outcomes in other chronic diseases. We therefore evaluated the efficacy of MBCT as an add-on to a standard PR programme in COPD. COPD patients eligible for PR were cluster randomised to receive either an 8-week, group-based MBCT programme as an add-on to an 8-week PR programme (n=39), or PR alone (n=45). The primary outcomes of psychological distress and physical health status impairment were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) before randomisation (T1), mid- (T2) and post-intervention (T3), and at 3 (T4) and 6 (T5) months’ follow-up . A statistically significant time×arm effect was found for the HADS (Cohen's d=0.62, 95% CIs (d)=0.18–1.06, p=0.010). The treatment effect on the CAT failed to reach statistical significance (d=0.42, 95% CIs (d)=−0.06–0.90, p=0.061). MBCT showed a statistically significant and durable effect on psychological distress, indicating that MBCT may be an efficacious add-on to standard PR programmes in COPD. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: an efficacious add-on to PR programmes to reduce psychological distress in COPD http://ow.ly/9noC30hnlxr
Relationship value antecedents in the South African automotive component supply chain

Orientation: Although literature agrees on the importance of ‘relationship value’, the term is still seen as ambiguous and authors fail to agree on its antecedents. Within a challenging global arena, relationship value is believed to result in business retention. It is therefore critical to have a better understanding of this value to ensure business sustainability within supply chains. Literature suggests that relationship value drivers comprise three dimensions, namely a core offering, sourcing process and customer operations. Research purpose: The contribution of the research reported on in this paper is an enhanced conceptual understanding of relationship value and its salient drivers within the South African automotive supply chains. Motivation for the study: Literature invites more research on relationship value and its drivers. Therefore, the research reported on tested the antecedents of relationship value. Research design, approach and method: Relationship value drivers were tested through empirical research within the South African automotive supply chains by means of a path analysis. The research utilised a closed-ended questionnaire, and targeted managers among Tier 1 buyers and asked them about the relationship value traits of their best Tier 2 suppliers. Main findings: It was found that personal interaction, which forms part of the sourcing process, is viewed as the strongest antecedent of relationship value within the South African automotive supply chains, followed by product quality and delivery. Practical/managerial implications: It is suggested that superior supply chain practices within the South African automotive industry might secure business retention. Automotive component suppliers are therefore advised to implement relationship value strategies to promote higher value through personal interaction.
Aspirin Targets SIRT 1 and AMPK to Induce Senescence of Colorectal Carcinoma Cells

Cancer therapies attempt to destroy the entire tumor, but this tends to require toxic compounds and high doses of radiation. Recently, considerable attention has focused on therapyinduced senescence (TIS), which can be induced in cancer cells by low doses of therapeutic drugs or radiation and provides a barrier to tumor development. However, the molecular mechanisms governing TIS remain elusive. Special attention has been paid to the potential chemopreventive effect of aspirin against human colorectal cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of aspirin on TIS of human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells and show that it occurs via sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), two key regulators of cellular metabolism. Aspirin increased the senescence of CRC cells, increased the protein levels of SIRT1, phospho-AMPK (T172), and phospho-acetyl CoA carboxylase (S79), and reduced the cellular level of ATP. Small-interfering RNA–mediated downregulation or pharmacological inhibition of SIRT1 or AMPK significantly attenuated the aspirininduced cellular senescence in CRC cells. In contrast, treatment with a SIRT1 agonist or an AMP analog induced cellular senescence. Remarkably, SIRT1 knockdown abrogated the aspirin-induced activation of AMPK, and vice versa. During the progression of aspirin-induced cellular senescence in CRC cells, SIRT1 showed increased deacetylase activity at a relatively early time point but was characterized by decreased activity with increased cytoplasmic localization at a later time point. Collectively, these novel findings suggest that aspirin could provide anticancer effects by inducing senescence in human CRC cells through the reciprocal regulation of SIRT1-AMPK pathways.
Leisure Constraints, Leisure Constraints Negotiation and Recreation Specialization for Water-Based Tourism Participants in Busan

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships among leisure constraints, leisure constraints negotiation, and recreation specialization for water-based tourism participants in Busan. Through this study, coastal cities of Korea (e.g., Busan) may attempt to develop marine leisure infrastructure. To achieve the goal of this study, 339 surveys were collected from male and female adults who planned to participate in water-based tourism event in 2017 were delineated as the study population. A convenient, non-random sampling method was used to select participants. After examining the correlation among leisure constraints, leisure constraints negotiation and recreation specialization, the relationships among the three variables was assessed through multiple linear regression analysis. The results of this study were as follows. First, regarding sub-factors of leisure constraints for water-based tourism participants, intrapersonal constraints, interpersonal constraints, and structural constraints had negative effects on leisure constraints negotiation. Second, the sub-factors of intrapersonal constraints and structural constraints had negative effect on recreation specialization, and interpersonal constraints were not statistically significant. Third, leisure constraints negotiation had a partially positive effect on recreation specialization.
Reinvestigation of KMg1/3Nb2/3OPO4 1

The crystal structure of potassium magnesium niobium oxide phosphate, KMg1/3Nb2/3OPO4, which was described in the space group P4322 [McCarron & Calabrese, (1993 ▶). J. Solid State Chem. 102, 354–361], has been redetermined in the revised space group P41. Accordingly, the assignment of the space group P4322 and, therefore, localization of K at a single half-occupied position, as noted in the previous study, proved to be an artifact. As a consequence, two major and two minor positions of K are observed due to the splitting along [001], as first noted for KTiOPO4 structure analogues. It has been shown that the geometry of the {M II 1/3Nb2/3O6/2}∞ framework is almost unaffected by the lowering of symmetry.