Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Understanding of Students' Perspectives Toward Diversity at a Midwestern Health Professional School: A Phenomenological Study

As a result of a recent student needs and satisfaction survey, a Midwestern health professional school conducted a phenomenological study to better understand the students' perceptions toward diversity within their institution. The specific purpose of the climate assessment was to explore, through the perceptions of the students, the diverse cultural and racial climate of this Midwestern health professional institution. Students defined diversity broadly and five themes identifying students' needs in regards to diversity emerged: 1. The need for students to be respected, no matter what their difference, by the faculty and their peers. 2. The need for students of color not to be stereotyped and to be treated with respect. 3. The international students' need to not feel so isolated. 4. The need for the students to not be gender stereotyped. 5. The questioning of the need to diversify faculty and, more importantly, upper level administration.
PhoPQ-Mediated Regulation Produces a More Robust Permeability Barrier in the Outer Membrane of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

ABSTRACT The PhoPQ two-component system of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium produces a remodeling of the lipid A domain of the lipopolysaccharide, including the PagP-catalyzed addition of palmitoyl residue, the PmrAB-regulated addition of the cationic sugar 4-aminoarabinose and phosphoethanolamine, and the LpxO-catalyzed addition of a 2-OH group onto one of the fatty acids. By using the diffusion rates of the dyes ethidium, Nile red, and eosin Y across the outer membrane, as well as the susceptibility of cells to large, lipophilic agents, we evaluated the function of this membrane as a permeability barrier. We found that the remodeling process in PhoP-constitutive strains produces an outer membrane that serves as a very effective permeability barrier in an environment that is poor in divalent cations or that contains cationic peptides, whereas its absence in phoP null mutants produces an outer membrane severely compromised in its barrier function under these conditions. Removing combinations of the lipid A-remodeling functions from a PhoP-constitutive strain showed that the known modification reactions explain a major part of the PhoPQ-regulated changes in permeability. We believe that the increased barrier property of the remodeled bilayer is important in making the pathogen more resistant to the stresses that it encounters in the host, including attack by the cationic antimicrobial peptides. On the other hand, drug-induced killing assays suggest that the outer membrane containing unmodified lipid A may serve as a better barrier in the presence of high concentrations (e.g., 5 mM) of Mg2+.
Utility of lymphoblastoid cell lines

Transformation of peripheral B lymphocytes by Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is the method of choice for generating lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). This method has been in use for the last two decades with a high success rate. With a somatic mutation rate of 0.3% and ease of cell maintenance, lymphoblastoid cells are still the preferred choice of storage for patients' genetic material. Studies have demonstrated a good correlation between using DNA from patient‐derived LCLs and conventional sources for the purpose of genetic screening. RNAs from LCLs have also been utilized for detecting splice mutations in various diseases. There is increasing evidence that gene expression in LCLs encompasses a wide range of metabolic pathways that are specific to individuals where the cells originated, making LCLs suitable for molecular and functional studies. There have been efforts to produce a proteome map and database of lymphoblastoid cells by characterizing protein spots on a two‐dimensional electrophoresis map. Proteomes from LCLs have been used in the elucidation of protein expression profile analysis of cellular response to DNA double‐strand break, an approach now recognized as differential proteome analysis. Despite some inherent limitations, the utility of LCLs is increasingly recognized and with appropriate infrastructure and financial support, LCLs will be an important resource for genetic and functional research of neurological disorders. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Econometric View on the Estimation of Gravity Models and the Calculation of Trade Potentials

This paper presents an AR(1) model in the spirit of Hausman and Taylor zero differences between actual and in-sample predicted trade flows. Large systematic differences between observed and in-sample predicted trade flows only indicate model misspecification and econometric problems. Out-of-sample predictions make sense if countries of interest are in an early stage of the transformation process. The gravity model remains an interesting tool for the calculation of counterfactuals (e.g. the impact of catching up in GDP per capita in the CEEC or of the reduction of trade costs via infrastructure investments or tariffs on bilateral trade, etc.). For this line of research, the difference between short-term and long-term influences could provide interesting insights.
Construction of the World Health Organization child growth standards: selection of methods for attained growth curves

The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with a number of research institutions worldwide, is developing new child growth standards. As part of a broad consultative process for selecting the best statistical methods, WHO convened a group of statisticians and child growth experts to review available methods, develop a strategy for assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss methodological issues likely to be faced in the process of constructing the new growth curves. To select the method(s) to be used, the group proposed a two‐stage decision‐making process. First, to select a few relevant methods based on a list of set criteria and, second, to compare the methods using available tests or other established procedures. The group reviewed 30 methods for attained growth curves. Using the pre‐defined criteria, a few were selected combining five distributions and two smoothing techniques. Because the number of selected methods was considered too large to be fully tested, a preliminary study was recommended to evaluate goodness of fit of the five distributions. Methods based on distributions with poor performance will be eliminated and the remaining methods fully tested and compared. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive Control of Packet Overhead in XOR Network Coding

Existing network coding schemes such as COPE [1] require exchange of information among neighboring nodes in order to correctly encode and decode data packets [2]. However, this leads to high packet overhead and degrades system performance more especially when network traffic is high. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a new adaptive W scheme whose objective is to adaptively control waiting time of overheard packets that are stored in a buffer (called packet pool in [1]) to achieve a tradeoff between throughput and overhead. Ns2 simulation results show that there is tremendous performance improvement in terms of throughput and overhead when adaptive W scheme is used as compared to fixed W scheme in high network traffic, densely populated network and low/high mobility environment.
Travel behaviour, experiences and choices of Aucklanders: a qualitative investigation

This technical report sets out the methodology and findings of a qualitative interview based study of travel behaviour in the context of the first objective of the Reduced CO2 from Sustainable Household Travel Research Programme. The intent of the programme is to achieve a sustained reduction in the CO2 emissions generated by domestic transport, while ensuring that New Zealanders are able to enjoy the benefits of an effective transport system. This first objective involves understanding behavioural influences on fuel use.
Preoperative Stroke and Outcomes after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Background:Data are lacking on the optimal scheduling of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery after stroke. The authors investigated the preoperative predictors of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing CABG, with a focus on the importance of the time interval between prior stroke and CABG. Methods:The Hospital Episode Statistics database (April 2006–March 2010) was analyzed for elective admissions for CABG. Independent preoperative patient factors influencing length of stay, postoperative stroke, and mortality, were identified by logistic regression and presented as adjusted odds ratios (OR). Results:In all, 62,104 patients underwent CABG (1.8% mortality). Prior stroke influenced mortality (OR 2.20 [95% CI 1.47–3.29]), postoperative stroke (OR 1.99 [1.39–2.85]), and prolonged length of stay (OR 1.31 [1.11–1.56]). The time interval between stroke and CABG did not influence mortality or prolonged length of stay. However, a longer time interval between stroke and CABG surgery was associated with a small increase in risk of postoperative stroke (OR per month elapsed 1.02 [1.00–1.04]; P = 0.047). An interaction was evident between prior stroke and myocardial infarction for death (OR 5.50 [2.84–10.8], indicating the importance of the combination of comorbidities. Prominent effects on mortality were also exerted by liver disease (OR 20.8 [15.18–28.51]) and renal failure (OR 4.59 [3.85–5.46]). Conclusions:The authors found no evidence that more recent preoperative stroke predisposed patients undergoing CABG surgery to suffer postoperative stroke, death, or prolonged length of stay. The combination of prior stroke and myocardial infarction substantially increased perioperative risk.
Nonlinear R-2R Transistor-Only DAC

A nonlinear current-division technique is proposed with the design parameters on the aspect ratio of transistors only. The design approach uses the linear voltage-to-current relation for MOS transistors in the triode region. The nonlinear characteristics of the output current can be obtained by adding additional transistors on the conventional R-2R transistor-only ladder. This work can be employed for the applications of gamma-corrected digital-to-analog converters in the display driving systems. The simulation and measurement results of R-2R transistor ladders using an n-type amorphous-silicon thin-film-transistor process confirm the design strategy practicably.
ESTIMATION OF EQUILIBRIUM REAL EXCHANGE RATE AND OF DEVIATIONS FOR ROMANIA

Equilibrium real exchange rate provides useful information on the harmonisation of convergence criteria with exchange rate stability criteria; a requirement for accession to the European Monetary Union. This study applies econometric procedures for identifying the equilibrium real exchange rate in Romania and its tendency. * Study within the CEEX Programme – Project No. 220/2006 “Economic Convergence and Role of Knowledge in Relation to the EU Integration”; Instiutul European din Romania – PAIS III; Studiul nr. 2/2005.
Target cost management in Japanese companies: current state of the art

Abstract Target cost management or TCM is concerned with simultaneously achieving a target cost along with planning, development and detailed design of new products by using methods such as value engineering (VE). In this paper, we explore a wide variety of TCM practices. The first major finding is that TCM has come to be applied in process industries as well as in assembly industries. Secondly, TCM has multiple objectives of cost reduction, quality assurance, timely introduction of new products into the market, and product development to attract customers. Thirdly, simultaneous engineering is a key concept of TCM. Fourthly, adjustment between allowable costs and forecasted actual costs is a popular practice in setting target costs. Fifthly, TCM activities are monitored even during mass-production to promote continuous improvement. Lastly, co-operation with suppliers is one of the most important factors for the successful transfer of TCM to foreign subsidiaries.
Cross-country inequalities in welfare and its decomposition by Sen factors: the virtues of the Theil index

In this study a new decomposition of the Theil index is proposed using multiplicative factors, which improves on that suggested in Duro (2001), and that, in particular, makes it possible to obtain, in isolation, the role attributable to the elements of factorial correlation. The Theil index, as a referential index in analysis, seems more attractive to us than log variance (Ezcurra and Pascual, 2005) for a variety of reasons. The application of the said decomposition for the analysis of international inequalities in terms of welfare levels, taking the Sen's factors (Sen, 1974, 1976), demonstrates that the bulk of these are determined by disparities in income per capita as well as their recent decrease.
Family‐controlled businesses and shareholder value

Purpose – The paper aims to extend the understanding of the value of quoted family‐controlled businesses (FCBs) and fill gaps in existing research by comparing the performance of such businesses with comparable non‐FCBs.Design/methodology/approach – The research approach adopted compared the share price performance of nine quoted FCBs with nine comparable non‐FCBs, utilising a range of variables designed to consider performance from a shareholder value perspective.Findings – On the basis of the sample, the paper provides insights on the extent of the shareholder value that FCBs provide, indicating that this may be greater than for non‐FCBs.Research limitations/implications – The sample size could be considered a limitation – however, it could be considered that the subdivision by size and industry group mitigates against distortions.Practical implications – The paper has practical implications for investors in considering the ownership dynamics of businesses.Originality/value – The paper contributes to th.
Governance, Governance Models and Port Performance: A Systematic Review

Abstract Studies on ports as business clusters and governance of the different actors in the port logistics chain are rapidly developing. In this context, one emerging topic concerns the analysis of governance models and their relationship with port performance. The present study is a systematic review of port governance that aims to describe the evolution of research on this topic between 1992 and 2013, identifying the governance models developed from this research and analysing the main characteristics of these models and their contribution to port performance. The results indicated that port governance studies remain incipient and follow a predominantly qualitative approach based on case studies and conceptual works. Regarding governance models and their relationship with port performance, although some models have been observed in the literature, the study of this subject has yet to be developed, and the relationship between governance models and port performance remains inconclusive. Although the existing models make a contribution, they allow gaps in terms of evaluating governance outcomes, identifying governance elements and discussing governance actions. These gaps make it hard to answer the basic questions associated with governance models: Who governs? What is governed? How is it governed? and For what is it governed?
PRODUCT OFFERING, PRICING, AND MAKE‐TO‐STOCK/MAKE‐TO‐ORDER DECISIONS WITH SHARED CAPACITY

In an era of mass customization, many firms continue to expand their product lines to remain competitive. These broader product lines may help to increase market share and may allow higher prices to be charged, but they also cause challenges associated with diseconomies of scope. To investigate this tradeoff, we considered a monopolist who faces demand curves, which for each of its potential products, decline with both price and response time (time to deliver the product). The firm must decide which products to offer, how to price them, whether each should be make‐to‐stock (mts) or make‐to‐order (mto), and how often to produce them. The offered products share a single manufacturing facility. Setup times introduce disceonomies of scope and setup costs introduce economies of scale. We provide motivating problem scenarios, model the monopolist's problem as a non‐linear, integer programming problem, characterize of the optimal policy, develop near‐optimal procedures, and discuss managerial insights.
Regional Economic Resilience: Resistance and Recoverability of Resource-Based Cities during Economic Crises in Northeast China

This paper quantitatively analyzes the economic resilience of resource-based cities (RBCs) in Northeast China in terms of resistance and recoverability during two economic crises: the Asian financial crisis and the global financial crisis. Moreover, it analyzes the main factors that affected regional resilience. There are three main findings. First, the RBCs in general demonstrated poor resistance during both recessions, but there were variations among the different types of RBCs. Petroleum and metal cities demonstrated the most resistance, whereas coal cities performed the worst. Second, the influential factors affecting economic resilience varied across the two economic cycles, but location advantage, research and development (R and D) intensity, foreign trade dependence ratio, and supporting policies had positive effects on resilience during both economic cycles, while the proportion of employed persons in resource industries had a negative effect. Industrial diversity had a weak and ambiguous effect on resilience. Third, the secondary industry was more resilient during the Asian financial crisis, but the tertiary industry was more resilient during the global financial crisis. This shift may be attributed to both the nature of the crises and the strength of the sectors at the time of the crises.
Opportunities and Challenges in Engaging Citizens in the Co-Production of Infrastructure-Based Public Services in Australia

Abstract Research and practice have observed a shift towards service-oriented approaches that depend on input from citizens as co-producers of services. Yet in the delivery of public infrastructure the focus is still on managing assets rather than services. Using a Policy Delphi approach, we found that although experts advocate service-centric approaches guidelines and policies lack a service-centric perspective. Findings revealed a range of impediments to effective stakeholder involvement. The paper contributes to co-production and new public governance literature and offers directions for public infrastructure decision-makers to support and reconnect disengaged government–citizen relations, and determine ways of understanding optimal service outcomes.
Politics and the Mass Media in Turkey

Abstract This article sets out to examine the linkages between the media and politics in Turkey. It argues that, rooted in the world of politics from the outset, Turkish media has always been marked by a high degree of political parallelism. As regulator and funder, the state, making up the political majority, exerted strong control over the media. In the 1990s, the shift to a globalized market and the explosive growth of private broadcasting did not decrease the high degree of political parallelism. Instead, it enabled media owners to use their media properties to intervene in political decisions that have a central role in capital accumulation. Today, deeply divided into two camps, media is the principal locus of bitter political strife.
Design of efficient web vulnerability scanner

The web applications are integral part of our day to day life. Almost everything is stored and manages on web. We use web applications for personal, commercial, and social purpose also. This omnipresence of web application makes them vulnerable. The increasing dependency on web applications have made them natural target for attackers. Injection attacks are most dangerous. To detect these vulnerabilities many researchers develop different approaches. This paper elaborates existing web vulnerability detecting approaches with their advantages and disadvantages. We propose a clustering approach to efficiently detect the SQL Injection, Xpath Injection and Cross Site Scripting attacks. The objective is to improve detection efficiency of vulnerability scanner while maintaining low false positive and false negative rate.
Complex Formation between Glutamyl-tRNA Reductase and Glutamate-1-semialdehyde 2,1-Aminomutase in Escherichia coli during the Initial Reactions of Porphyrin Biosynthesis*

In Escherichia coli the first common precursor of all tetrapyrroles, 5-aminolevulinic acid, is synthesized from glutamyl-tRNA (Glu-tRNAGlu) in a two-step reaction catalyzed by glutamyl-tRNA reductase (GluTR) and glutamate-1-semialdehyde 2,1-aminomutase (GSA-AM). To protect the highly reactive reaction intermediate glutamate-1-semialdehyde (GSA), a tight complex between these two enzymes was proposed based on their solved crystal structures. The existence of this hypothetical complex was verified by two independent biochemical techniques. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments using antibodies directed against E. coli GluTR and GSA-AM demonstrated the physical interaction of both enzymes in E. coli cell-free extracts and between the recombinant purified enzymes. Additionally, the formation of a GluTR·GSA-AM complex was identified by gel permeation chromatography. Complex formation was found independent of Glu-tRNAGlu and cofactors. The analysis of a GluTR mutant truncated in the 80-amino acid C-terminal dimerization domain (GluTR-A338Stop) revealed the importance of GluTR dimerization for complex formation. The in silico model of the E. coli GluTR·GSA-AM complex suggested direct metabolic channeling between both enzymes to protect the reactive aldehyde species GSA. In accordance with this proposal, side product formation catalyzed by GluTR was observed via high performance liquid chromatography analysis in the absence of the GluTR·GSA-AM complex.
Economic and Demographic Aspects of Taiwan's Rising Family Income Inequality

Excerpt] Since 1980, however, family income inequality in Taiwan has risen slowly but steadily. In this chapter, we apply decomposition methodologies devised by Fei and co-authors and by Shorrocks to Taiwan's Family Income and Expenditure Surveys to quantify the sources of Taiwan's rising family income inequality. Our principal finding is that labor income inequality accounts for more than 100 percent of the observed change— that is, household income inequality would have increased even more had not business income, property income and transfer income contributed to an equalization of incomes. However, the reason for this is not that individual earnings became more unequally distributed, because they did not. Rather, working people combined into households in a way that led to increased household income inequality. This, along with the decline of multigenerational families in Taiwan, indicates the prime importance of demographic factors in explaining Taiwan's rising income inequality.
Reconsidering research on self-humanizing: The importance of mean comparative judgments

ABSTRACT Self-humanization is defined as the tendency to view oneself as more essentially human than others. Researchers have claimed that people attribute human nature traits more strongly to themselves than to others, but not uniquely human traits. In this article we suggest that such claims are based on the misinterpretation of results. Most studies have not presented mean comparative judgments, making it impossible to determine whether people thought they possessed characteristics less strongly or more strongly than the average person. We found that people (N = 256) in Poland, Italy, and Korea perceived themselves as possessing desirable human nature and uniquely human characteristics more than others, as possessing undesirable uniquely human traits less than others, and as similar to others in terms of undesirable human nature characteristics. It seems that being more human than others means possessing some traits more than others and possessing some traits less than others.